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Computer Science at Carleton College

Northfield, MN · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
76 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
77
Optimistic
76
Base Case
69
Pessimistic
Earnings $88,132/yr (20% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (72% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (295,800 openings/yr)
ROI 4.1x earnings multiple
Ranked #188 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 $1,141K $1,082K $788K
Earnings Multiple 4.4x 4.1x 3.0x
Probability of Field Employment 80% 73% 40%
DegreeOutlook Score 77 76 69

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$261,828
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$109,280
58% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$18,254
2.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$121,569
38% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Carleton College's Computer Science graduates start at $88,132/yr — above the $73,713 national average, though not by a wide margin.

At 4.1x tuition cost in decade earnings, the ROI is moderate. This program pays for itself, but it's not a financial slam-dunk.

Career paths for Computer Science carry above-average AI exposure (72% of tasks). The 31% scenario spread means the difference between optimistic and pessimistic outcomes is substantial.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $18,254 in median debt clears quickly against $88,132 in annual earnings.

A #188 ranking among 345 Computer Science programs places Carleton College in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

A 38% earnings increase from $88,132 to $121,569 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About Carleton College

Admission to Carleton College is competitive, with 22% of applicants accepted, a smaller institution with 2,019 students in Northfield, MN. Financial aid reduces the effective four-year cost to $109,280 — 58% less than the list price.

See all programs and financial aid at Carleton College →

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 Carleton College

Economics ($66,567) Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences ($40,371) Research and Experimental Psychology ($39,238) Biology, General ($30,726) Political Science and Government ($29,858) English Language and Literature, General ($20,780)

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

Compare Computer Science trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

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 76/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Computer Science at Carleton College?
At 76/100, the score looks reasonable — but Computer Science is a high-scoring field overall. Compared to peers, this program's earnings and ROI fall below the median.
Should I worry about AI if I study Computer Science at Carleton College?
The 72% 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.
What do students actually pay for Computer Science at Carleton College?
The 58% gap between sticker price and net cost means most students pay far less than $261,828. At a net cost of $109,280, the earnings multiple improves substantially.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →