Computer Scienceat California State University-Los Angeles
Graduates earn $44,530/yr in their first year — about 40.0% below the national Computer Science average. Base-case 10-year earnings $1,094K; scenarios range from $795K to $1,155K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Cal State LA
While Los Angeles is a major tech hub, it’s also a hyper-competitive market. You’ll be vying for jobs against graduates from elite private universities and top-tier UC schools that have deeply entrenched recruiting pipelines with major employers like Google, Riot Games, and SpaceX. Cal State LA's program serves a vital role in the regional economy, but its graduates often land at smaller local companies, government agencies, or in IT support roles rather than the high-paying software engineering positions that drive up national averages. The curriculum may also focus more on practical application than the theoretical, research-heavy work that leads to top research scientist roles. Your key to success here is aggressive networking and building a standout portfolio through internships and personal projects; you must proactively prove your skills to employers who don't automatically recruit on your campus.
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.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Cal State LA's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
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.
Peer schools offering Computer Science
How Cal State LA stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Cal State LA
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Cal State LA, 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 →Frequently asked about Computer Science at Cal State LA
How does California State University-Los Angeles's Computer Science program score?
A score of 78/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. California State University-Los Angeles'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-Los Angeles?
Lower starting pay at California State University-Los Angeles may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.