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Computer Programming at DePaul University

Chicago, IL · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
69 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
71
Optimistic
69
Base Case
61
Pessimistic
Earnings $72,234/yr (22% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (78% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (162,300 openings/yr)
ROI 4.7x earnings multiple
Ranked #15 of 31 Computer Programming programs Top 50%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Computer Programming graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption		 Base Case
Gradual AI		 Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $912K $842K $657K
Earnings Multiple 5.1x 4.7x 3.7x
Probability of Field Employment 80% 67% 37%
DegreeOutlook Score 71 69 61

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$177,840
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$116,564
34% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$24,500
4.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$96,002
33% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $72,234/yr, edging above the $59,149 national average for Computer Programming — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand.

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

Some AI exposure exists in Computer Programming's typical career paths, with 78% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 28% gap from the optimistic case.

At $24,500 in median debt against $72,234 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

At #15 of 31 Computer Programming programs, DePaul University scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Earnings grow from $72,234 to $96,002 over five years — a 33% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About DePaul University

DePaul University has a 74% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, with a mid-sized student body of 14,283 in Chicago, IL. The average net cost of $116,564 over four years represents a 34% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at DePaul University →

Top Career Paths

Software developers $133,080/yr
Software quality assurance analysts and testers $102,610/yr
Computer programmers $98,670/yr
View all 7 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Compare this program → View all 31 schools offering Computer Programming →

Computer Programming at Other Schools

DigiPen Institute of Technology ($102,580) Rochester Institute of Technology ($83,875) University of Michigan-Dearborn ($80,830) Elon University ($79,819) University of Phoenix-Arizona ($74,151) University of Phoenix-California ($74,151) University of Phoenix-Texas ($74,151) New England Institute of Technology ($72,595)

Other Majors at DePaul University

Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities ($84,066) Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management ($79,863) Accounting and Related Services ($69,250) Management Information Systems and Services ($68,769) Finance and Financial Management Services ($66,863) Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications ($61,482) Information Science/Studies ($60,468) Computer and Information Sciences, General ($58,220)

Consider the Trade Route?

Compare Computer Programming 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 Programming at DePaul University?
A score of 69/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Computer Programming field.
Will AI replace Computer Programming careers?
With 78% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $657,173 in decade earnings vs $912,485 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →