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Computer & Information Sciences · Computer Networking Rank #31 of 41

Computer Networkingat DePaul University

Graduates earn $61,482/yr in their first year — about 6.0% above the national Computer Networking average. Base-case 10-year earnings $917K; scenarios range from $712K to $958K depending on AI disruption.

Chicago, IL Private nonprofit Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
70 STRONG
71
Optimistic
64
Pessimistic
Earnings
$61,482
1-year post-graduation
ROI
4.4x
Earnings : tuition
10-yr Base
$917K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Very High
59% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at DePaul University

DePaul University's Computer Networking graduates start at $61,482/yr — above the $58,164 national average, though not by a wide margin.

The earnings-to-cost ratio of 5.2x signals a solid financial return — projected decade earnings comfortably exceed the tuition investment.

Some AI exposure exists in Computer Networking's typical career paths, with 68% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 26% gap from the optimistic case.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $22,166 in median debt clears quickly against $61,482 in annual earnings.

Ranked #31 of 41 Computer Networking programs, DePaul University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $96,261 show a 57% jump from the $61,482 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

AI Outlook Integration

Three scenarios, ten years out

Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$712K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score64/100
Earnings Multiple4.0x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$917K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score70/100
Earnings Multiple5.2x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$958K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score71/100
Earnings Multiple5.4x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to DePaul University's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Computer Networking graduates typically work

Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.

1
Computer and information systems managers
+15.2% 10-yr growth · 55,600 openings/yr
$171,200/yr
High
2
Computer and information research scientists
+19.7% 10-yr growth · 3,200 openings/yr
$140,910/yr
High
3
Database architects
+8.7% 10-yr growth · 4,000 openings/yr
$135,980/yr
Very High
4
Software developers
+15.8% 10-yr growth · 115,200 openings/yr
$133,080/yr
Very High
5
Computer network architects
+11.9% 10-yr growth · 11,200 openings/yr
$130,390/yr
High
6
Information security analysts
+28.5% 10-yr growth · 16,000 openings/yr
$124,910/yr
High
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Computer Networking

How DePaul University stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
Weber State University
UT · Public
85
DW Score
$72K
1-yr earn
32.9x
ROI
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
MN · Public
81
DW Score
$68K
1-yr earn
14.6x
ROI
University of Wisconsin-Stout
WI · Public
83
DW Score
$67K
1-yr earn
21.5x
ROI
Utah Valley University
UT · Public
84
DW Score
$65K
1-yr earn
36.5x
ROI
Ohio University-Eastern Campus
OH · Public
81
DW Score
$62K
1-yr earn
30.1x
ROI
Also at DePaul University

Other top programs at DePaul University

Other highest-scoring programs offered at DePaul University, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.

Consider the trade route

Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Computer Networking offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.

Compare Computer Networking trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Computer Networking at DePaul University

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Computer Networking at DePaul University?

This program scores 70/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Computer Networking programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.

Will AI replace Computer Networking careers?

With 68% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $711,606 in decade earnings vs $957,896 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.