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Computer Science at Kansas State University

Manhattan, KS · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Computer and Information Sciences, General
74 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
75
Optimistic
74
Base Case
68
Pessimistic
Earnings $76,385/yr (22% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (69% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (338,800 openings/yr)
ROI 17.7x earnings multiple (7.0x out-of-state)
Ranked #253 of 443 Computer and Information Sciences, General 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 $800K $776K $627K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 18.3x 17.7x 14.3x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 7.2x 7.0x 5.6x
Probability of Field Employment 80% 74% 42%
DegreeOutlook Score 75 74 68

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$43,768
Out-of-state: $111,264 (7.0x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$71,532
-63% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$25,000
3.9 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

At $76,385 per year, Computer Science graduates from Kansas State University earn slightly above the $62,617 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 17.7x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Computer Science programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Computer Science's typical career paths, with 69% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 22% gap from the optimistic case.

The median debt load of $25,000 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

Ranked #253 of 443 Computer Science programs, Kansas State University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

About Kansas State University

With 79% of applicants admitted, Kansas State University prioritizes broad access, with a mid-sized student body of 14,835 in Manhattan, KS.

See all programs and financial aid at Kansas 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 14 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Compare this program → View all 443 schools offering Computer Science →

Computer Science at Other Schools

University of Pennsylvania ($146,204) University of California-Los Angeles ($136,099) Yale University ($133,293) Rice University ($131,154) Northeastern University ($115,587) Northeastern University Professional Programs ($115,587) University of Michigan-Ann Arbor ($113,634) University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign ($113,503)

Other Majors at Kansas State University

Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($78,758) Computer Engineering ($77,938) Industrial Engineering ($77,724) Chemical Engineering ($77,492) Agricultural and Food Products Processing ($76,052) Construction Engineering Technologies ($74,253) Architectural Engineering ($74,091) Mechanical Engineering ($72,627)

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

Compare Computer Science trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Computer Science at Kansas State University?
This program scores 74/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Computer Science programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.
Will AI replace Computer Science careers?
With 69% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $626,876 in decade earnings vs $800,391 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →