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Computer Science at Illinois State University

Normal, IL · Public · Bachelor's Degree
84 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
86
Optimistic
84
Base Case
77
Pessimistic
Earnings $81,363/yr (10% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (72% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (295,800 openings/yr)
ROI 13.8x earnings multiple (7.9x out-of-state)
Ranked #98 of 345 Computer Science programs Top 50%

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 $925K $885K $680K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 14.4x 13.8x 10.6x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 8.2x 7.9x 6.1x
Probability of Field Employment 80% 73% 40%
DegreeOutlook Score 86 84 77

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$64,084
Out-of-state: $112,344 (7.9x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$75,984
-19% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$22,043
3.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$99,457
22% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $81,363 at Illinois State University come in 10% above the national median of $73,713 for Computer Science programs.

With a 13.8x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 26% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Computer Science career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

With first-year pay of $81,363 far exceeding the $22,043 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

A #98 ranking among 345 Computer Science programs places Illinois State University in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

A 22% earnings increase from $81,363 to $99,457 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About Illinois State University

Illinois State University accepts 89% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, enrolling 18,414 students in Normal, IL.

See all programs and financial aid at Illinois 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

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 Illinois State University

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($72,709) Construction Management ($70,672) Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications ($66,801) Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions ($65,629) Computer and Information Sciences, General ($65,127) Accounting and Related Services ($62,940) Public Health ($59,207) Engineering Technology, General ($55,532)

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 84/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Computer Science at Illinois State University?
At 84/100, 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 Illinois State 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.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →