Computer Science at Indiana University-Northwest

Gary, IN · Public · Bachelor's Degree
57 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
58
Optimistic
57
Base Case
60
Pessimistic
Earnings $36,053/yr (-51% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (72% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (295,800 openings/yr)
ROI 19.0x earnings multiple (7.0x out-of-state)
Ranked #324 of 345 Computer Science programs

Program Analysis

While the career paths for computer science are lucrative nationally, your post-graduation earnings here are deeply tied to the regional economy of Northwest Indiana. This is not a major tech hub, and the data reflects that graduates often find work in local IT support, database management for small to mid-sized businesses, or roles within the area's established manufacturing and healthcare sectors. These positions are valuable but don't command the high salaries seen in competitive tech centers like Chicago, just an hour away. The program provides a solid, accessible education, but it lacks the aggressive recruiting pipelines and national reputation that funnel graduates directly into top-tier software engineering roles at major tech firms. For a significant return on your investment, your key action is to aggressively pursue internships and build a professional network in the much larger Chicago market while you study.

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 $634K $621K $536K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 19.4x 19.0x 16.4x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 7.2x 7.0x 6.1x
Probability of Field Employment 80% 73% 40%
DegreeOutlook Score 58 57 60

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$32,716
Out-of-state: $88,172 (7.0x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$23,880
27% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,802
6.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$59,095
64% growth from Year 1

About Indiana University-Northwest

A 77% acceptance rate means Indiana University-Northwest is accessible to most applicants, a smaller institution with 2,582 students in Gary, IN. 43% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating strong socioeconomic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at Indiana University-Northwest →

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 Indiana University-Northwest

Consider the Trade Route?

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 57/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Computer Science at Indiana University-Northwest?
At 57/100, 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 Indiana University-Northwest?
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.
Is Indiana University-Northwest a good choice for Computer Science despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If Indiana University-Northwest's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →