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Computer Science at Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
81 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
83
Optimistic
81
Base Case
76
Pessimistic
Earnings $171,264/yr (132% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (72% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (295,800 openings/yr)
ROI 8.4x earnings multiple
Ranked #134 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 $2,299K $2,135K $1,363K
Earnings Multiple 9.0x 8.4x 5.3x
Probability of Field Employment 80% 73% 40%
DegreeOutlook Score 83 81 76

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$255,316
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$126,684
50% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$21,442
1.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$251,632
47% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $171,264 per year, Computer Science graduates from Carnegie Mellon University significantly outpace the $73,713 national average for this major, reflecting strong employer demand for this program's graduates.

At 8.4x the cost of in-state tuition, the ten-year earnings outlook represents a strong return. Not exceptional, but meaningfully positive.

AI exposure is significant at 72% of job tasks, producing a 41% spread between best and worst-case decade earnings. The field isn't immune to disruption.

The median debt load of $21,442 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

Ranked #134 out of 345 programs, Carnegie Mellon University's Computer Science offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $171,264 to $251,632 shows 47% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About Carnegie Mellon University

With just 11% of applicants admitted, Carnegie Mellon University ranks among the nation's most selective schools, serving 7,187 students in Pittsburgh, PA. The average net cost of $126,684 over four years represents a 50% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at Carnegie Mellon University →

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) 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) Pomona College ($143,084)

Other Majors at Carnegie Mellon University

Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($139,337) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($95,891) Systems Science and Theory ($95,598) Statistics ($93,111) Economics ($86,284) Mechanical Engineering ($76,523) Design and Applied Arts ($66,274) Architectural Sciences and Technology ($48,514)

Consider the Trade Route?

Compare Computer Science trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Carnegie Mellon University's Computer Science program score?
A score of 81/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. Carnegie Mellon University'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.
How affordable is Computer Science at Carnegie Mellon University after financial aid?
Sticker price is $255,316, but the average net cost is $126,684 — a 50% discount. For students who qualify for aid, this program is considerably more affordable than it appears.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →