Computer Scienceat North Central College
Graduates earn $53,544/yr in their first year — about 27.0% below the national Computer Science average. Base-case 10-year earnings $1,107K; scenarios range from $802K to $1,169K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at North Central College
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.
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.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to North Central College's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
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.
Peer schools offering Computer Science
How North Central College stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at North Central College
Other highest-scoring programs offered at North Central 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 →Frequently asked about Computer Science at North Central College
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.