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Computer & Information Sciences · Computer Science Rank #299 of 345

Computer Scienceat Merrimack College

Graduates earn $70,256/yr in their first year — about 5.0% below the national Computer Science average. Base-case 10-year earnings $721K; scenarios range from $590K to $744K depending on AI disruption.

North Andover, MA Private nonprofit Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
61 SOLID
62
Optimistic
54
Pessimistic
Earnings
$70,256
1-year post-graduation
ROI
2.4x
Earnings : tuition
10-yr Base
$721K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Very High
61% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Merrimack College

Graduates earn $70,256/yr, roughly in line with the $73,713 national median for Computer Science. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

The 3.5x return on tuition is positive but not overwhelming. Financial outcomes depend on keeping costs close to in-state rates.

AI risk is moderate — 72% task exposure — and the 21% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

At #299 out of 345 programs, Merrimack College's financial outcomes for Computer Science trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

AI Outlook Integration

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.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$590K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score54/100
Earnings Multiple2.9x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$721K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score61/100
Earnings Multiple3.5x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$744K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score62/100
Earnings Multiple3.6x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Merrimack College's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Computer Science graduates typically work

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.

1
Computer and information systems managers
+15.2% 10-yr growth · 55,600 openings/yr
$171,200/yr
High
2
Computer and information research scientists
+19.7% 10-yr growth · 3,200 openings/yr
$140,910/yr
High
3
Database architects
+8.7% 10-yr growth · 4,000 openings/yr
$135,980/yr
Very High
4
Software developers
+15.8% 10-yr growth · 115,200 openings/yr
$133,080/yr
Very High
5
Information security analysts
+28.5% 10-yr growth · 16,000 openings/yr
$124,910/yr
High
6
Data scientists
+33.5% 10-yr growth · 23,400 openings/yr
$112,590/yr
High
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Computer Science

How Merrimack College stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
California Institute of Technology
CA · Private nonprofit
67
DW Score
$173K
1-yr earn
5.9x
ROI
Carnegie Mellon University
PA · Private nonprofit
81
DW Score
$171K
1-yr earn
8.9x
ROI
Same state (MA)
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
MA · Private nonprofit
81
DW Score
$154K
1-yr earn
8.1x
ROI
Cornell University
NY · Private nonprofit
80
DW Score
$153K
1-yr earn
7.3x
ROI
Harvard University
MA · Private nonprofit
81
DW Score
$152K
1-yr earn
8.3x
ROI
Also at Merrimack College

Other top programs at Merrimack College

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Merrimack College, 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 →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Computer Science at Merrimack College

How does Merrimack College's Computer Science program score?

A score of 61/100 reflects decent absolute metrics, but Merrimack College trails the majority of Computer Science programs on relative rankings. Context matters more than the raw number.

How vulnerable is Computer Science to AI automation?

AI won't 'replace' Computer Science careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 72% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.