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Computer Science at University of Southern Maine

Portland, ME · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $67,956/yr (-8% vs median)

AI Risk Very High (72% exposed)

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

ROI 16.1x earnings multiple (6.5x out-of-state)

Ranked #242 of 345 Computer Science programs

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	$723K	$702K	$580K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	16.5x	16.1x	13.3x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	6.7x	6.5x	5.3x
Probability of Field Employment	80%	73%	40%
DegreeOutlook Score	72	71	64

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$43,680

Out-of-state: $108,416 (6.5x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$46,916

-7% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$17,500

3.1 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

At $67,956/yr, Computer Science graduates from University of Southern Maine land near the $73,713 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 16.1x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Computer Science programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Computer Science's typical career paths, with 72% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 20% gap from the optimistic case.

The median debt load of $17,500 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

Ranked #242 of 345 Computer Science programs, University of Southern Maine falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

About University of Southern Maine

With 79% of applicants admitted, University of Southern Maine prioritizes broad access, with a smaller student body of 4,245 in Portland, ME.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Southern Maine →

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

Computer Science at Other Schools

Other Majors at University of Southern Maine

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Computer Science at University of Southern Maine?

This program scores 71/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Computer Science programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.

Will AI replace Computer Science careers?

With 72% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $579,926 in decade earnings vs $722,678 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

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