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Computer Science at Messiah University

Mechanicsburg, PA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
54 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
55
Optimistic
54
Base Case
48
Pessimistic
Earnings $49,205/yr (-33% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (72% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (295,800 openings/yr)
ROI 3.4x earnings multiple
Ranked #334 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 $550K $545K $494K
Earnings Multiple 3.4x 3.4x 3.0x
Probability of Field Employment 80% 73% 40%
DegreeOutlook Score 55 54 48

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$162,560
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$110,744
32% less than sticker · See by income

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $49,205 place Messiah University below the $73,713 national median for Computer Science — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

An earnings multiple of 3.4x means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition, but not by a dramatic margin. Returns are positive but modest.

Some AI exposure exists in Computer Science's typical career paths, with 72% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 10% gap from the optimistic case.

Ranked #334 of 345 Computer Science programs, Messiah University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

About Messiah University

Messiah University accepts 78% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, a compact campus enrolling 2,318 students in Mechanicsburg, PA. The average net cost of $110,744 over four years represents a 32% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at Messiah 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 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) Massachusetts Institute of Technology ($154,492) Cornell University ($152,656) Harvard University ($152,251) Brown University ($151,065) University of California-Berkeley ($149,866) Princeton University ($146,624)

Other Majors at Messiah University

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($73,788) Engineering, General ($64,871) Accounting and Related Services ($59,833) Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas ($50,825) Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods ($50,389) Marketing ($45,748) Communication and Media Studies ($45,021) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($43,029)

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 Messiah University?
This program scores 54/100 — 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 72% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $494,160 in decade earnings vs $550,037 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Computer Science from Messiah University?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →