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Computer Science at Chapman University

Orange, CA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
59 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
60
Optimistic
59
Base Case
52
Pessimistic
Earnings $67,125/yr (-9% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (72% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (295,800 openings/yr)
ROI 2.8x earnings multiple
Ranked #308 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 $715K $695K $576K
Earnings Multiple 2.8x 2.8x 2.3x
Probability of Field Employment 80% 73% 40%
DegreeOutlook Score 60 59 52

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$251,136
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$190,108
24% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$21,809
3.9 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $67,125/yr, roughly in line with the $73,713 national median for Computer Science. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

An earnings multiple of 2.8x means the program roughly breaks even in financial terms over ten years. Non-financial factors need to justify the investment.

AI risk is moderate — 72% task exposure — and the 19% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

With first-year pay of $67,125 far exceeding the $21,809 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

At #308 out of 345 programs, Chapman University's financial outcomes for Computer Science trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

About Chapman University

A 56% admission rate makes Chapman University accessible to a wide range of qualified students, serving 7,629 students in Orange, CA.

See all programs and financial aid at Chapman 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) 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 Chapman University

Accounting and Related Services ($70,362) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($55,657) Business/Managerial Economics ($54,064) Design and Applied Arts ($46,519) Communication and Media Studies ($44,601) Journalism ($41,645) English Language and Literature, General ($40,861) Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication ($40,141)

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

How does Chapman University's Computer Science program score?
A score of 59/100 reflects decent absolute metrics, but Chapman University trails the majority of Computer Science programs on relative rankings. Context matters more than the raw number.
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.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →