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Computer Science at Grinnell College

Grinnell, IA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
76 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
77
Optimistic
76
Base Case
69
Pessimistic
Earnings $84,449/yr (15% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (72% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (295,800 openings/yr)
ROI 4.3x earnings multiple
Ranked #187 of 345 Computer Science programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

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

Optimistic
No Disruption		 Base Case
Gradual AI		 Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $1,170K $1,108K $802K
Earnings Multiple 4.5x 4.3x 3.1x
Probability of Field Employment 80% 73% 40%
DegreeOutlook Score 77 76 69

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$259,448
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$62,432
76% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$16,125
2.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$122,922
46% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $84,449 per year, Computer Science graduates from Grinnell College earn slightly above the $73,713 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

At 4.3x tuition cost in decade earnings, the ROI is moderate. This program pays for itself, but it's not a financial slam-dunk.

Career paths for Computer Science carry above-average AI exposure (72% of tasks). The 31% scenario spread means the difference between optimistic and pessimistic outcomes is substantial.

The median debt load of $16,125 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

A #187 ranking among 345 Computer Science programs places Grinnell College in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

A 46% earnings increase from $84,449 to $122,922 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About Grinnell College

With just 13% of applicants admitted, Grinnell College ranks among the nation's most selective schools, a smaller institution with 1,705 students in Grinnell, IA. The average net cost of $62,432 over four years represents a 76% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at Grinnell College →

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 13 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Compare this program → View all 345 schools offering Computer Science →

Computer Science at Other Schools

California Institute of Technology ($173,344) Carnegie Mellon University ($171,264) Massachusetts Institute of Technology ($154,492) Cornell University ($152,656) Harvard University ($152,251) Brown University ($151,065) University of California-Berkeley ($149,866) Princeton University ($146,624)

Other Majors at Grinnell College

Economics ($46,791) History ($39,687) Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology ($38,598) Biology, General ($37,170) Political Science and Government ($36,662) Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics ($28,691) Research and Experimental Psychology ($28,507) Sociology ($28,216)

Consider the Trade Route?

Compare Computer Science 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 does a 76/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Computer Science at Grinnell College?
At 76/100, the score looks reasonable — but Computer Science 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 Science at Grinnell College?
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.
What do students actually pay for Computer Science at Grinnell College?
The 76% gap between sticker price and net cost means most students pay far less than $259,448. At a net cost of $62,432, the earnings multiple improves substantially.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →