Computer Science at University of Utah

Salt Lake City, UT · Public · Bachelor's Degree
90 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
91
Optimistic
90
Base Case
82
Pessimistic
Earnings $90,282/yr (22% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (72% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (295,800 openings/yr)
ROI 27.5x earnings multiple (8.6x out-of-state)
Ranked #6 of 345 Computer Science programs Top 5%

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 $1,078K $1,025K $757K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 28.9x 27.5x 20.3x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 9.0x 8.6x 6.3x
Probability of Field Employment 80% 73% 40%
DegreeOutlook Score 91 90 82

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$37,260
Out-of-state: $119,348 (8.6x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$52,688
-41% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,000
2.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$116,395
29% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $90,282 per year, Computer Science graduates from University of Utah earn slightly above the $73,713 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

The 27.5x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 72% task exposure — and the 30% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The median debt load of $19,000 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

Ranked #6 out of 345 programs, University of Utah's Computer Science program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $90,282 to $116,395 shows 29% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About University of Utah

With 87% of applicants admitted, University of Utah prioritizes broad access, with 26,041 students enrolled in Salt Lake City, UT.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Utah →

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

Compare Computer Science

Other Majors at University of Utah

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

How does University of Utah's Computer Science program score?
A score of 90/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. University of Utah's Computer Science graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.
How vulnerable is Computer Science to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Computer Science careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 72% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why does University of Utah rank so high for Computer Science?
The #6 ranking out of 345 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →