Home › California State University-Northridge › Computer and Information Sciences, General

Computer and Information Sciences, General at California State University-Northridge

Northridge, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $55,931/yr (-11% vs median)

AI Risk Very High (69% exposed)

Job Market Very Large (338,800 openings/yr)

ROI 27.8x earnings multiple (10.4x out-of-state)

Ranked #129 of 443 Computer and Information Sciences, General programs Top 50%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Computer and Information Sciences, General graduates.

	Optimistic No Disruption	Base Case Gradual AI	Pessimistic Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings	$816K	$790K	$635K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	28.7x	27.8x	22.4x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	10.7x	10.4x	8.4x
Probability of Field Employment	80%	74%	42%
DegreeOutlook Score	83	82	76

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$28,380

Out-of-state: $75,900 (10.4x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$30,396

-7% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$18,000

3.9 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$82,112

47% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $55,931/yr, Computer and Information Sciences, General graduates from California State University-Northridge land near the $62,617 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

With a 27.8x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 22% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Computer and Information Sciences, General career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

The median debt load of $18,000 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

A #129 ranking among 443 Computer and Information Sciences, General programs places California State University-Northridge in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

A 47% earnings increase from $55,931 to $82,112 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About California State University-Northridge

With 93% of applicants admitted, California State University-Northridge prioritizes broad access, with 32,357 students enrolled in Northridge, CA. With 56% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum.

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

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 14 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Computer and Information Sciences, General at Other Schools

Other Majors at California State University-Northridge

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 82/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Computer and Information Sciences, General at California State University-Northridge?

At 82/100, this is a high-performing program. The DegreeOutlook Score combines earnings, AI resilience, and ROI — and this program delivers on all three.

Should I worry about AI if I study Computer and Information Sciences, General at California State University-Northridge?

The 69% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →