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Computer Science at California Lutheran University

Thousand Oaks, CA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
71 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
72
Optimistic
71
Base Case
64
Pessimistic
Earnings $68,398/yr (-7% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (72% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (295,800 openings/yr)
ROI 4.2x earnings multiple
Ranked #233 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 $878K $843K $657K
Earnings Multiple 4.3x 4.2x 3.2x
Probability of Field Employment 80% 73% 40%
DegreeOutlook Score 72 71 64

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$202,680
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$105,732
48% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$21,750
3.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$91,699
34% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $68,398/yr, Computer Science graduates from California Lutheran University land near the $73,713 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

The 4.2x return on tuition is positive but not overwhelming. Financial outcomes depend on keeping costs close to in-state rates.

AI risk is moderate — 72% task exposure — and the 25% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The median debt load of $21,750 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

At #233 out of 345 programs, California Lutheran University's financial outcomes for Computer Science trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $68,398 to $91,699 shows 34% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About California Lutheran University

With 89% of applicants admitted, California Lutheran University prioritizes broad access, a smaller institution with 2,374 students in Thousand Oaks, CA. After financial aid, the average student pays $105,732 over four years — 48% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at California Lutheran 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 California Lutheran University

Accounting and Related Services ($72,696) Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods ($57,276) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($55,234) Criminal Justice and Corrections ($43,122) Communication and Media Studies ($37,249) Political Science and Government ($36,061) Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities ($34,989) Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, Other ($34,432)

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

How does California Lutheran University's Computer Science program score?
A score of 71/100 reflects decent absolute metrics, but California Lutheran 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.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →