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Computer Science at Colorado State University-Fort Collins

Fort Collins, CO · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Computer and Information Sciences, General
89 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
90
Optimistic
89
Base Case
82
Pessimistic
Earnings $78,856/yr (26% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (69% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (338,800 openings/yr)
ROI 21.8x earnings multiple (8.3x out-of-state)
Ranked #13 of 443 Computer and Information Sciences, General programs Top 5%

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 $1,178K $1,122K $823K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 22.8x 21.8x 16.0x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 8.7x 8.3x 6.1x
Probability of Field Employment 80% 74% 42%
DegreeOutlook Score 90 89 82

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$51,584
Out-of-state: $135,004 (8.3x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$81,328
-58% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$21,569
3.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$121,497
54% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates of Colorado State University-Fort Collins's Computer Science program earn $78,856/yr in their first year — 26% above the $62,617 national median, a strong market signal for this institution.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 21.8x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Computer Science programs nationally.

The 30% gap between optimistic and pessimistic AI scenarios is notable. With 69% of typical tasks exposed to automation, AI adoption could meaningfully shift career outcomes for Computer Science graduates.

At $21,569 in median debt against $78,856 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

At #13 of 443 nationally, this is a top-5% Computer Science program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Five-year earnings of $121,497 show a 54% jump from the $78,856 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Colorado State University-Fort Collins

Colorado State University-Fort Collins has a 90% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, serving a student body of 25,148 in Fort Collins, CO.

See all programs and financial aid at Colorado State University-Fort Collins →

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

Compare this program → View all 443 schools offering Computer Science →

Computer Science at Other Schools

University of Pennsylvania ($146,204) University of California-Los Angeles ($136,099) Yale University ($133,293) Rice University ($131,154) Northeastern University ($115,587) Northeastern University Professional Programs ($115,587) University of Michigan-Ann Arbor ($113,634) University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign ($113,503)

Other Majors at Colorado State University-Fort Collins

Construction Engineering Technologies ($78,423) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($78,038) Civil Engineering ($73,326) Information Science/Studies ($67,827) Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering ($66,109) Chemical Engineering ($62,468) Mechanical Engineering ($60,720) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($54,846)

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

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Computer Science at Colorado State University-Fort Collins?
This program scores 89/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Computer Science nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, manageable AI risk, and solid financial return.
Will AI replace Computer Science careers?
With 69% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $823,380 in decade earnings vs $1,177,538 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes Colorado State University-Fort Collins's Computer Science program stand out?
Ranked #13 of 443 programs nationally, Colorado State University-Fort Collins lands in the top 5%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →