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Computer Science at Winston-Salem State University

Winston-Salem, NC · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $50,927/yr (-31% vs median)

AI Risk Very High (72% exposed)

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

ROI 21.1x earnings multiple (8.2x out-of-state)

Ranked #212 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	$575K	$567K	$506K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	21.3x	21.1x	18.8x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	8.3x	8.2x	7.3x
Probability of Field Employment	80%	73%	40%
DegreeOutlook Score	75	74	67

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$26,940

Out-of-state: $69,564 (8.2x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$53,572

-99% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$30,721

7.2 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$58,212

14% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $50,927 per year, Computer Science graduates from Winston-Salem State University earn below the $73,713 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

The 21.1x 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 12% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $30,721 debt-to-$50,927 income ratio translates to about 7 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #212 out of 345 programs, Winston-Salem State University's financial outcomes for Computer Science trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth is modest: $50,927 to $58,212 over five years (14% gain). This field may have a lower salary ceiling than high-growth professions.

About Winston-Salem State University

Winston-Salem State University accepts 69% of applicants, balancing access with selectivity, with a smaller student body of 4,244 in Winston-Salem, NC. Pell Grant recipients make up 61% of the student body — a marker of economic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at Winston-Salem State University →

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 Winston-Salem State University

Explore the Trade Alternative

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Winston-Salem State University's Computer Science program score?

A score of 74/100 reflects decent absolute metrics, but Winston-Salem State University trails the majority of Computer Science programs on relative rankings. Context matters more than the raw number.

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 are Computer Science earnings lower at Winston-Salem State University?

Lower starting pay at Winston-Salem State University may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.

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