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Computer Science at Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Worcester, MA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
78 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
80
Optimistic
78
Base Case
72
Pessimistic
Earnings $93,888/yr (27% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (72% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (295,800 openings/yr)
ROI 5.7x earnings multiple
Ranked #169 of 345 Computer Science programs Top 50%

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 $1,429K $1,344K $931K
Earnings Multiple 6.0x 5.7x 3.9x
Probability of Field Employment 80% 73% 40%
DegreeOutlook Score 80 78 72

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$236,280
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$173,092
27% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$27,000
3.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$148,489
58% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $93,888 per year, Computer Science graduates from Worcester Polytechnic Institute significantly outpace the $73,713 national average for this major, reflecting strong employer demand for this program's graduates.

The earnings-to-cost ratio of 5.7x signals a solid financial return — projected decade earnings comfortably exceed the tuition investment.

The 35% gap between optimistic and pessimistic AI scenarios is notable. With 72% of typical tasks exposed to automation, AI adoption could meaningfully shift career outcomes for Computer Science graduates.

The median debt load of $27,000 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

At #169 of 345 Computer Science programs, Worcester Polytechnic Institute scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Five-year earnings of $148,489 show a 58% jump from the $93,888 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Worcester Polytechnic Institute accepts 58% of applicants, balancing access with selectivity, serving 5,344 students in Worcester, MA.

See all programs and financial aid at Worcester Polytechnic Institute →

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

Compare this program → View all 345 schools offering Computer Science →

Computer Science at Other Schools

California Institute of Technology ($173,344) Carnegie Mellon University ($171,264) Massachusetts Institute of Technology ($154,492) Cornell University ($152,656) Harvard University ($152,251) Brown University ($151,065) University of California-Berkeley ($149,866) Princeton University ($146,624)

Other Majors at Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($89,897) Computer Software and Media Applications ($86,193) Mechatronics, Robotics, and Automation Engineering ($85,340) Chemical Engineering ($78,767) Biomedical/Medical Engineering ($78,283) Mechanical Engineering ($78,182) Industrial Engineering ($77,994) Civil Engineering ($76,419)

Consider the Trade Route?

Compare Computer Science trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

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 is the DegreeOutlook Score for Computer Science at Worcester Polytechnic Institute?
This program scores 78/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Computer Science nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, manageable AI risk, and solid financial return.
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 $931,042 in decade earnings vs $1,429,435 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →