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Computer Science at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, NC · Public · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $90,293/yr (22% vs median)

AI Risk Very High (72% exposed)

Job Market Very Large (295,800 openings/yr)

ROI 30.8x earnings multiple (7.1x out-of-state)

Ranked #4 of 345 Computer Science programs Top 1%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Computer Science graduates.

	Optimistic No Disruption	Base Case Gradual AI	Pessimistic Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings	$1,171K	$1,109K	$803K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	32.6x	30.8x	22.3x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	7.4x	7.1x	5.1x
Probability of Field Employment	80%	73%	40%
DegreeOutlook Score	91	90	83

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$35,956

Out-of-state: $157,320 (7.1x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$51,932

-44% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$13,500

1.8 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$124,977

38% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $90,293 per year, Computer Science graduates from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill earn slightly above the $73,713 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

With a 30.8x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

Career paths for Computer Science carry above-average AI exposure (72% of tasks). The 31% scenario spread means the difference between optimistic and pessimistic outcomes is substantial.

The median debt load of $13,500 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

Among 345 Computer Science programs nationally, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill ranks #4 — elite territory by any measure of graduate financial outcomes.

A 38% earnings increase from $90,293 to $124,977 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

A 19% acceptance rate puts University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in competitive admissions territory, with 20,556 students enrolled in Chapel Hill, NC.

See all programs and financial aid at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill →

Top Career Paths

Computer and information systems managers $171,200/yr

Computer and information research scientists $140,910/yr

Database architects $135,980/yr

View all 13 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

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Consider the Trade Route?

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 90/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Computer Science at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill?

At 90/100, this is a high-performing program. The DegreeOutlook Score combines earnings, AI resilience, and ROI — and this program delivers on all three.

Should I worry about AI if I study Computer Science at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill?

The 72% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.

Is University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill one of the best schools for Computer Science?

Among 345 Computer Science programs, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's #4 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →