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Computer & Information Sciences · Computer Science Rank #341 of 345

Computer Scienceat Biola University

Graduates earn $42,882/yr in their first year — about 42.0% below the national Computer Science average. Base-case 10-year earnings $492K; scenarios range from $465K to $492K depending on AI disruption.

La Mirada, CA Private nonprofit Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
48 AVERAGE
49
Optimistic
44
Pessimistic
Earnings
$42,882
1-year post-graduation
ROI
1.3x
Earnings : tuition
10-yr Base
$492K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Very High
61% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Biola University

While your degree is in the heart of Southern California's massive tech ecosystem, Biola is not a primary recruiting target for the top-tier firms that drive up salary averages. You'll be competing for internships and jobs against graduates from powerhouse programs like UCLA, USC, and Caltech, which have long-established pipelines into companies like Google and Riot Games. Many Biola graduates find their first roles at smaller local companies, non-profits, or faith-based organizations where the mission may be prioritized over compensation, leading to lower initial earnings. The career paths listed reflect the industry's potential, but breaking into those high-paying roles from Biola requires exceptional effort.

Your key move: build a portfolio and network aggressively outside of campus career services. Attend local LA tech meetups and contribute to open-source projects to prove your skills to employers who don't recruit on your campus.

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
$465K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score44/100
Earnings Multiple2.5x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$492K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score48/100
Earnings Multiple2.6x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$492K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score49/100
Earnings Multiple2.6x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Biola University'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 Biola University 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
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 Biola University

Other top programs at Biola University

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Biola University, 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 Biola University

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Computer Science at Biola University?

A score of 48/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Computer Science. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.

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 $465,237 in decade earnings vs $491,819 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

Can you still earn well with Computer Science from Biola University?

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.