Computer Science at California State University-Fresno

Fresno, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
82 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
83
Optimistic
82
Base Case
75
Pessimistic
Earnings $53,566/yr (-27% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (72% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (295,800 openings/yr)
ROI 32.1x earnings multiple (11.9x out-of-state)
Ranked #116 of 345 Computer Science programs Top 50%

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 $937K $896K $686K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 33.5x 32.1x 24.6x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 12.4x 11.9x 9.1x
Probability of Field Employment 80% 73% 40%
DegreeOutlook Score 83 82 75

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$27,920
Out-of-state: $75,440 (11.9x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$25,920
7% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$18,480
4.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$91,077
70% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $53,566 per year, Computer Science graduates from California State University-Fresno earn below the $73,713 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

The 32.1x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 72% task exposure — and the 27% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The median debt load of $18,480 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

Ranked #116 out of 345 programs, California State University-Fresno's Computer Science offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

Earnings growth from $53,566 to $91,077 over five years (70% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About California State University-Fresno

With 96% of applicants admitted, California State University-Fresno prioritizes broad access, serving a student body of 21,070 in Fresno, CA. Pell Grant recipients make up 56% of the student body — a marker of economic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at California State University-Fresno →

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

Computer Science at Other Schools

Other Majors at California State University-Fresno

Explore the Trade Alternative

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 State University-Fresno's Computer Science program score?
A score of 82/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. California State University-Fresno's Computer Science graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.
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.
Why are Computer Science earnings lower at California State University-Fresno?
Lower starting pay at California State University-Fresno may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →