Computer Science at Idaho State University

Pocatello, ID · Public · Bachelor's Degree
71 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
72
Optimistic
71
Base Case
64
Pessimistic
Earnings $62,829/yr (-15% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (72% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (295,800 openings/yr)
ROI 19.7x earnings multiple (6.0x out-of-state)
Ranked #237 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 $675K $659K $556K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 20.2x 19.7x 16.6x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 6.1x 6.0x 5.1x
Probability of Field Employment 80% 73% 40%
DegreeOutlook Score 72 71 64

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$33,424
Out-of-state: $109,864 (6.0x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$69,296
-107% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$21,850
4.2 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

At $62,829/yr, Computer Science graduates from Idaho State University land near the $73,713 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

The 19.7x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 72% task exposure — and the 18% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The median debt load of $21,850 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

At #237 out of 345 programs, Idaho State University's financial outcomes for Computer Science trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

About Idaho State University

enrolling 7,260 students in Pocatello, ID.

See all programs and financial aid at Idaho State University →

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

Computer Science at Other Schools

Other Majors at Idaho State University

Explore the Trade Alternative

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Idaho State University's Computer Science program score?
A score of 71/100 reflects decent absolute metrics, but Idaho State University trails the majority of Computer Science programs on relative rankings. Context matters more than the raw number.
How vulnerable is Computer Science to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Computer Science careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 72% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →