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Computer Science at North Central College

Naperville, IL · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
71 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
72
Optimistic
71
Base Case
64
Pessimistic
Earnings $53,544/yr (-27% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (72% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (295,800 openings/yr)
ROI 6.2x earnings multiple
Ranked #239 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 $1,169K $1,107K $802K
Earnings Multiple 6.6x 6.2x 4.5x
Probability of Field Employment 80% 73% 40%
DegreeOutlook Score 72 71 64

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$177,576
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$92,132
48% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$26,228
5.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$108,019
102% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $53,544/yr fall 27% below the $73,713 national median for Computer Science. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

A 6.2x 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 31% scenario spread means the difference between optimistic and pessimistic outcomes is substantial.

At $26,228 in median debt against $53,544 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

A #239 ranking among 345 Computer Science programs places North Central College in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

The $53,544-to-$108,019 earnings arc over five years reflects a 102% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About North Central College

With a 58% acceptance rate, North Central College is moderately selective, with a smaller student body of 2,360 in Naperville, IL. The average net cost of $92,132 over four years represents a 48% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at North Central 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

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 North Central College

Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods ($85,168) Accounting and Related Services ($58,717) Human Resources Management and Services ($53,587) Economics ($52,728) Finance and Financial Management Services ($51,420) Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication ($48,549) Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas ($48,074) Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods ($47,668)

Explore the Trade Alternative

Compare Computer Science trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 71/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Computer Science at North Central College?
At 71/100, 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 North Central 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 North Central College a good choice for Computer Science despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If North Central 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 →