Home › North Carolina State University at Raleigh › Computer Science

Computer Science at North Carolina State University at Raleigh

Raleigh, NC · Public · Bachelor's Degree
89 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
90
Optimistic
89
Base Case
82
Pessimistic
Earnings $85,809/yr (16% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (72% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (295,800 openings/yr)
ROI 27.8x earnings multiple (7.8x out-of-state)
Ranked #16 of 345 Computer Science programs Top 5%

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 $1,038K $988K $736K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 29.2x 27.8x 20.7x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 8.2x 7.8x 5.8x
Probability of Field Employment 80% 73% 40%
DegreeOutlook Score 90 89 82

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$35,580
Out-of-state: $127,068 (7.8x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$67,724
-90% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,500
2.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$111,385
30% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $85,809/yr, edging above the $73,713 national average for Computer Science — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 27.8x 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 72% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 29% gap from the optimistic case.

At $20,500 in median debt against $85,809 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

At #16 of 345 nationally, this is a top-5% Computer Science program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Earnings grow from $85,809 to $111,385 over five years — a 30% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About North Carolina State University at Raleigh

North Carolina State University at Raleigh admits 40% of applicants, placing it among selective institutions, serving a student body of 26,389 in Raleigh, NC.

See all programs and financial aid at North Carolina State University at Raleigh →

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)

Compare Computer Science

North Carolina State University at Raleigh vs University of California-Berkeley →

Other Majors at North Carolina State University at Raleigh

Computer Engineering ($82,997) Chemical Engineering ($81,492) Industrial Engineering ($81,055) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($77,687) Construction Engineering ($76,574) Nuclear Engineering ($74,540) Materials Engineering ($74,058) Biomedical/Medical Engineering ($74,016)

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 North Carolina State University at Raleigh?
This program scores 89/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Computer Science nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, manageable AI risk, and solid financial return.
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 $736,347 in decade earnings vs $1,037,531 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes North Carolina State University at Raleigh's Computer Science program stand out?
Ranked #16 of 345 programs nationally, North Carolina State University at Raleigh lands in the top 5%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →