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Computer & Information Sciences · Computer Programming Rank #23 of 31

Computer Programmingat Elon University

Graduates earn $79,819/yr in their first year — about 35.0% above the national Computer Programming average. Base-case 10-year earnings $775K; scenarios range from $620K to $832K depending on AI disruption.

Elon, NC Private nonprofit Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
59 SOLID
62
Optimistic
52
Pessimistic
Earnings
$79,819
1-year post-graduation
ROI
3.5x
Earnings : tuition
10-yr Base
$775K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Very High
64% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Elon University

While Elon isn't a top-ranked engineering powerhouse, its graduates punch well above their weight financially. This success is driven by location and a focus on practical skills. You'll be situated squarely within the orbit of North Carolina’s Research Triangle Park (RTP), a massive tech hub with an insatiable appetite for developers from firms like SAS, Red Hat, and IBM, plus a thriving biotech and finance scene.

Elon's program emphasizes hands-on, project-based learning, meaning you'll graduate with a strong portfolio and likely multiple internships. This real-world experience makes you immediately valuable to regional employers who recruit heavily on campus. Your key advice: leverage the university's strong career services from day one. Aggressively pursue internships in the RTP area, as these connections are the most direct path to the high-paying jobs driving these impressive outcomes.

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
$620K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score52/100
Earnings Multiple3.5x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$775K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score59/100
Earnings Multiple4.3x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$832K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score62/100
Earnings Multiple4.7x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

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

Career Paths

Where Computer Programming 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
Software developers
+15.8% 10-yr growth · 115,200 openings/yr
$133,080/yr
Very High
2
Software quality assurance analysts and testers
+10.0% 10-yr growth · 14,000 openings/yr
$102,610/yr
Very High
3
Computer programmers
-6.0% 10-yr growth · 5,500 openings/yr
$98,670/yr
Very High
4
Web and digital interface designers
+7.0% 10-yr growth · 9,100 openings/yr
$98,090/yr
High
5
Computer science teachers, postsecondary
+5.3% 10-yr growth · 3,500 openings/yr
$96,690/yr
High
6
Web developers
+7.5% 10-yr growth · 5,400 openings/yr
$90,930/yr
Very 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 Programming

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

Highest earnings
DigiPen Institute of Technology
WA · Private for-profit
75
DW Score
$103K
1-yr earn
7.1x
ROI
Rochester Institute of Technology
NY · Private nonprofit
59
DW Score
$84K
1-yr earn
2.7x
ROI
Top score
University of Michigan-Dearborn
MI · Public
82
DW Score
$81K
1-yr earn
18.6x
ROI
University of Phoenix-Arizona
AZ · Private for-profit
79
DW Score
$74K
1-yr earn
19.3x
ROI
Bellevue University
NE · Private nonprofit
79
DW Score
$69K
1-yr earn
21.3x
ROI
Also at Elon University

Other top programs at Elon University

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

Consider the trade route

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

Compare Computer Programming trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Computer Programming at Elon University

What does a 59/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Computer Programming at Elon University?

At 59/100, the score looks reasonable — but Computer Programming is a high-scoring field overall. Compared to peers, this program's earnings and ROI fall below the median.

Should I worry about AI if I study Computer Programming at Elon University?

The 78% 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.