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Computer Science at Lake Forest College

Lake Forest, IL · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $48,587/yr (-34% vs median)

AI Risk Very High (72% exposed)

Job Market Very Large (295,800 openings/yr)

ROI 2.5x earnings multiple

Ranked #336 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	$544K	$540K	$491K
Earnings Multiple	2.5x	2.5x	2.3x
Probability of Field Employment	80%	73%	40%
DegreeOutlook Score	54	53	46

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)

$216,808

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$109,996

49% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$27,000

6.7 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $48,587 place Lake Forest College below the $73,713 national median for Computer Science — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

At 2.5x tuition cost, the financial math is tight. Decade earnings don't dramatically exceed what you paid, making school choice and aid packages critical.

The 10% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Computer Science career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

At $27,000 against $48,587/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

A #336 ranking among 345 Computer Science programs places Lake Forest College in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

About Lake Forest College

A 59% admission rate makes Lake Forest College accessible to a wide range of qualified students, a smaller institution with 1,782 students in Lake Forest, IL. The average net cost of $109,996 over four years represents a 49% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at Lake Forest College →

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 Lake Forest College

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 53/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Computer Science at Lake Forest College?

At 53/100, 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 Lake Forest College?

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 Lake Forest College a good choice for Computer Science despite lower starting pay?

Starting salary is one data point. If Lake Forest College'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 →