Computer Scienceat Duke University
Graduates earn $133,356/yr in their first year — about 81.0% above the national Computer Science average. Base-case 10-year earnings $1,754K; scenarios range from $1,155K to $1,881K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Duke University
The elite Duke brand opens doors far beyond North Carolina. While you'll have unparalleled access to the thriving Research Triangle Park—home to giants like IBM, Cisco, and a vibrant startup scene—your diploma carries weight globally. Top tech firms and Wall Street trading desks aggressively recruit on campus, seeking graduates with the strong theoretical foundation Duke's program provides. This isn't just a coding bootcamp; you're being trained to become an architect, a research scientist, or a future leader in the field, which explains why graduates quickly move into high-impact, high-compensation roles. The "AI risk" here is actually an opportunity: you'll be building the AI systems, not being replaced by them. To maximize this advantage, leverage the powerful alumni network from day one; a warm introduction from a fellow Blue Devil can get your resume to the top of the pile at any company you can name.
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.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Duke University's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
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.
Peer schools offering Computer Science
How Duke University stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Duke University
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Duke University, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Consider the trade route
Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Computer Science offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.
Compare Computer Science trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →Frequently asked about Computer Science at Duke University
What does a 80/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Computer Science at Duke University?
At 80/100, this is a high-performing program. The DegreeOutlook Score combines earnings, AI resilience, and ROI — and this program delivers on all three.
Should I worry about AI if I study Computer Science at Duke University?
The 72% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.