Home › Boston University › Computer Science

Computer Science at Boston University

Boston, MA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
77 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
79
Optimistic
77
Base Case
70
Pessimistic
Earnings $90,050/yr (22% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (72% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (295,800 openings/yr)
ROI 4.7x earnings multiple
Ranked #182 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 $1,312K $1,237K $873K
Earnings Multiple 5.0x 4.7x 3.3x
Probability of Field Employment 80% 73% 40%
DegreeOutlook Score 79 77 70

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$260,672
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$107,984
59% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$23,125
3.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$137,182
52% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $90,050/yr, edging above the $73,713 national average for Computer Science — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand.

The 4.7x return on tuition is positive but not overwhelming. Financial outcomes depend on keeping costs close to in-state rates.

AI exposure is significant at 72% of job tasks, producing a 33% spread between best and worst-case decade earnings. The field isn't immune to disruption.

At $23,125 in median debt against $90,050 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

At #182 out of 345 programs, Boston University's financial outcomes for Computer Science trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $90,050 to $137,182 over five years (52% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About Boston University

Boston University admits 11% of applicants — among the most selective institutions in the country, serving 17,850 students in Boston, MA. Financial aid reduces the effective four-year cost to $107,984 — 59% less than the list price.

See all programs and financial aid at Boston 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

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 Boston University

Computer Engineering ($93,995) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($80,528) Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions ($77,660) Mechanical Engineering ($76,337) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($71,545) Biomedical/Medical Engineering ($69,209) Mathematics ($64,604) Economics ($55,733)

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

How does Boston University's Computer Science program score?
A score of 77/100 reflects decent absolute metrics, but Boston 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.
How affordable is Computer Science at Boston University after financial aid?
Sticker price is $260,672, but the average net cost is $107,984 — a 59% discount. For students who qualify for aid, this program is considerably more affordable than it appears.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →