Home › Augustana College › Computer Science

Computer Science at Augustana College

Rock Island, IL · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
67 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
69
Optimistic
67
Base Case
60
Pessimistic
Earnings $74,745/yr (1% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (72% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (295,800 openings/yr)
ROI 3.5x earnings multiple
Ranked #256 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 $711K $691K $574K
Earnings Multiple 3.6x 3.5x 2.9x
Probability of Field Employment 80% 73% 40%
DegreeOutlook Score 69 67 60

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$199,336
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$49,748
75% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$27,000
4.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$76,294
2% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $74,745/yr, roughly in line with the $73,713 national median for Computer Science. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

An earnings multiple of 3.5x means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition, but not by a dramatic margin. Returns are positive but modest.

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 19% gap from the optimistic case.

With first-year pay of $74,745 far exceeding the $27,000 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

Ranked #256 of 345 Computer Science programs, Augustana College falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $76,294 are relatively flat compared to the $74,745 starting salary — typical of fields with stable but capped salary bands.

About Augustana College

A 68% admission rate makes Augustana College accessible to a wide range of qualified students, a smaller institution with 2,418 students in Rock Island, IL. The average net cost of $49,748 over four years represents a 75% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at Augustana College →

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 Augustana College

Accounting and Related Services ($62,149) Engineering Physics ($54,165) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($50,210) Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods ($45,517) Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas ($45,145) Communication and Media Studies ($40,806) Geography and Cartography ($40,683) Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology ($38,436)

Explore the Trade Alternative

Compare Computer Science trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

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

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Computer Science at Augustana College?
This program scores 67/100 — 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 $574,317 in decade earnings vs $711,388 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Is Augustana College a hidden gem for Computer Science?
After financial aid, the average student pays $49,748 over four years — 75% below the $199,336 sticker price. That gap makes the ROI significantly better than published tuition suggests.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →