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Computer & Information Sciences · Computer Science Rank #326 of 345

Computer Scienceat Allegheny College

Graduates earn $58,811/yr in their first year — about 20.0% below the national Computer Science average. Base-case 10-year earnings $625K; scenarios range from $538K to $638K depending on AI disruption.

Meadville, PA Private nonprofit Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
57 SOLID
58
Optimistic
50
Pessimistic
Earnings
$58,811
1-year post-graduation
ROI
1.7x
Earnings : tuition
10-yr Base
$625K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Very High
61% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Allegheny College

At $58,811 per year, Computer Science graduates from Allegheny College earn below the $73,713 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

The financial case is thin at 2.8x — decade earnings barely exceed the cost of attendance. The value proposition here is driven by factors beyond pure ROI.

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 16% gap from the optimistic case.

The median debt load of $26,500 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

Ranked #326 of 345 Computer Science programs, Allegheny College falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

AI Outlook Integration

Three scenarios, ten years out

Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$538K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score50/100
Earnings Multiple2.4x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$625K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score57/100
Earnings Multiple2.8x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$638K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score58/100
Earnings Multiple2.9x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Allegheny College's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Computer Science graduates typically work

Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.

1
Computer and information systems managers
+15.2% 10-yr growth · 55,600 openings/yr
$171,200/yr
High
2
Computer and information research scientists
+19.7% 10-yr growth · 3,200 openings/yr
$140,910/yr
High
3
Database architects
+8.7% 10-yr growth · 4,000 openings/yr
$135,980/yr
Very High
4
Software developers
+15.8% 10-yr growth · 115,200 openings/yr
$133,080/yr
Very High
5
Information security analysts
+28.5% 10-yr growth · 16,000 openings/yr
$124,910/yr
High
6
Data scientists
+33.5% 10-yr growth · 23,400 openings/yr
$112,590/yr
High
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Computer Science

How Allegheny College stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
California Institute of Technology
CA · Private nonprofit
67
DW Score
$173K
1-yr earn
5.9x
ROI
Same state (PA)
Carnegie Mellon University
PA · Private nonprofit
81
DW Score
$171K
1-yr earn
8.9x
ROI
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
MA · Private nonprofit
81
DW Score
$154K
1-yr earn
8.1x
ROI
Cornell University
NY · Private nonprofit
80
DW Score
$153K
1-yr earn
7.3x
ROI
Harvard University
MA · Private nonprofit
81
DW Score
$152K
1-yr earn
8.3x
ROI
Also at Allegheny College

Other top programs at Allegheny College

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Allegheny College, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.

Consider the trade route

Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Computer Science offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.

Compare Computer Science trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Computer Science at Allegheny College

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Computer Science at Allegheny College?

This program scores 57/100 — 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 $538,097 in decade earnings vs $638,479 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

Can you still earn well with Computer Science from Allegheny College?

First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.

Is Allegheny College a hidden gem for Computer Science?

After financial aid, the average student pays $87,600 over four years — 60% below the $219,840 sticker price. That gap makes the ROI significantly better than published tuition suggests.