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Computer Science at Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Cambridge, MA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
81 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
82
Optimistic
81
Base Case
76
Pessimistic
Earnings $154,492/yr (110% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (72% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (295,800 openings/yr)
ROI 7.8x earnings multiple
Ranked #133 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 $2,005K $1,867K $1,217K
Earnings Multiple 8.3x 7.8x 5.1x
Probability of Field Employment 80% 73% 40%
DegreeOutlook Score 82 81 76

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$240,624
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$79,252
67% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$11,077
0.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$220,064
42% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $154,492 put Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Computer Science program 110% above the national median of $73,713 — one of the higher-earning programs in this field.

A 7.8x earnings multiple over ten years puts this program in solid financial territory. Tuition is well-justified by projected earnings.

Career paths for Computer Science carry above-average AI exposure (72% of tasks). The 39% scenario spread means the difference between optimistic and pessimistic outcomes is substantial.

With first-year pay of $154,492 far exceeding the $11,077 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

A #133 ranking among 345 Computer Science programs places Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

A 42% earnings increase from $154,492 to $220,064 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Massachusetts Institute of Technology's 5% admission rate places it in the top tier of selectivity nationally, a smaller institution with 4,571 students in Cambridge, MA. Financial aid reduces the effective four-year cost to $79,252 — 67% less than the list price.

See all programs and financial aid at Massachusetts Institute of Technology →

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) Cornell University ($152,656) Harvard University ($152,251) Brown University ($151,065) University of California-Berkeley ($149,866) Princeton University ($146,624) Pomona College ($143,084)

Other Majors at Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Mathematics and Computer Science ($126,153) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($117,345) Mathematics ($109,288) Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities ($103,135) Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods ($99,843) Mechanical Engineering ($83,957) Chemical Engineering ($80,139) Biomedical/Medical Engineering ($70,696)

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 does a 81/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Computer Science at Massachusetts Institute of Technology?
At 81/100, 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 Massachusetts Institute of Technology?
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.
What do students actually pay for Computer Science at Massachusetts Institute of Technology?
The 67% gap between sticker price and net cost means most students pay far less than $240,624. At a net cost of $79,252, the earnings multiple improves substantially.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →