Computer Scienceat Illinois State University
Graduates earn $81,363/yr in their first year — about 10.0% above the national Computer Science average. Base-case 10-year earnings $885K; scenarios range from $680K to $925K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Illinois State University
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.
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 Illinois State 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 Illinois State University stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Illinois State University
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Illinois State 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 Illinois State University
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.