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Computer & Information Sciences · Computer Science Rank #116 of 345

Computer Scienceat California State University-Fresno

Graduates earn $53,566/yr in their first year — about 27.0% below the national Computer Science average. Base-case 10-year earnings $896K; scenarios range from $686K to $937K depending on AI disruption.

Fresno, CA Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
82 STRONG
83
Optimistic
75
Pessimistic
Earnings
$53,566
1-year post-graduation
ROI
31.6x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$896K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Very High
61% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Fresno State

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.

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
$686K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score75/100
Earnings Multiple24.6x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$896K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score82/100
Earnings Multiple32.1x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$937K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score83/100
Earnings Multiple33.5x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

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

Other top programs at Fresno State

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Fresno State, 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 Fresno State

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.