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Computer and Information Sciences, General at Colorado Mesa University

Grand Junction, CO · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $65,284/yr (4% vs median)

AI Risk Very High (69% exposed)

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

ROI 18.6x earnings multiple (7.4x out-of-state)

Ranked #131 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	$741K	$721K	$596K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	19.1x	18.6x	15.3x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	7.6x	7.4x	6.1x
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)

$38,848

Out-of-state: $97,248 (7.4x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$61,324

-58% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$22,080

4.1 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$77,812

19% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $65,284/yr, roughly in line with the $62,617 national median for Computer and Information Sciences, General. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 18.6x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Computer and Information Sciences, General programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Computer and Information Sciences, General's typical career paths, with 69% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 20% gap from the optimistic case.

With first-year pay of $65,284 far exceeding the $22,080 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

At #131 of 443 Computer and Information Sciences, General programs, Colorado Mesa University scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Five-year earnings of $77,812 are relatively flat compared to the $65,284 starting salary — typical of fields with stable but capped salary bands.

About Colorado Mesa University

Colorado Mesa University accepts 81% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, with a mid-sized student body of 7,604 in Grand Junction, CO.

See all programs and financial aid at Colorado Mesa 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 14 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Computer and Information Sciences, General at Other Schools

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Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Computer and Information Sciences, General at Colorado Mesa University?

This program scores 82/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Computer and Information Sciences, General nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, manageable AI risk, and solid financial return.

Will AI replace Computer and Information Sciences, General careers?

With 69% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $595,917 in decade earnings vs $740,979 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

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