Home › Cornell University › Computer and Information Sciences, General

Computer and Information Sciences, General at Cornell University

Ithaca, NY · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $103,650/yr (66% vs median)

AI Risk Very High (69% exposed)

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

ROI 4.7x earnings multiple

Ranked #197 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	$1,302K	$1,236K	$888K
Earnings Multiple	4.9x	4.7x	3.4x
Probability of Field Employment	80%	74%	42%
DegreeOutlook Score	80	79	73

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)

$264,056

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$129,348

51% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$15,500

1.8 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$140,860

36% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $103,650 put Cornell University's Computer and Information Sciences, General program 66% above the national median of $62,617 — one of the higher-earning programs in this field.

An earnings multiple of 4.7x means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition, but not by a dramatic margin. Returns are positive but modest.

The 32% 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 and Information Sciences, General graduates.

With first-year pay of $103,650 far exceeding the $15,500 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

At #197 of 443 Computer and Information Sciences, General programs, Cornell University scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Earnings grow from $103,650 to $140,860 over five years — a 36% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About Cornell University

Cornell University's 8% admission rate places it in the top tier of selectivity nationally, serving 15,935 students in Ithaca, NY. After financial aid, the average student pays $129,348 over four years — 51% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at Cornell 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

Other Majors at Cornell University

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

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 is the DegreeOutlook Score for Computer and Information Sciences, General at Cornell University?

This program scores 79/100 — 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 $887,986 in decade earnings vs $1,301,530 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

Is Cornell University a hidden gem for Computer and Information Sciences, General?

After financial aid, the average student pays $129,348 over four years — 51% below the $264,056 sticker price. That gap makes the ROI significantly better than published tuition suggests.

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