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Computer Science at North Dakota State University-Main Campus

Fargo, ND · Public · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $60,426/yr (-18% vs median)

AI Risk Very High (72% exposed)

Job Market Very Large (295,800 openings/yr)

ROI 19.2x earnings multiple (13.5x out-of-state)

Ranked #122 of 345 Computer Science programs Top 50%

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	$870K	$836K	$653K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	20.0x	19.2x	15.0x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	14.0x	13.5x	10.5x
Probability of Field Employment	80%	73%	40%
DegreeOutlook Score	83	82	75

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$43,428

Out-of-state: $62,044 (13.5x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$65,336

-50% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$25,000

5.0 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$88,466

46% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $60,426/yr fall 18% below the $73,713 national median for Computer Science. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

The 19.2x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 72% task exposure — and the 25% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

At $25,000 in median debt against $60,426 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

Ranked #122 out of 345 programs, North Dakota State University-Main Campus's Computer Science offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $60,426 to $88,466 shows 46% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About North Dakota State University-Main Campus

North Dakota State University-Main Campus has a 96% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, with a mid-sized student body of 9,567 in Fargo, ND.

See all programs and financial aid at North Dakota State University-Main Campus →

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

Computer Science at Other Schools

Other Majors at North Dakota State University-Main Campus

Consider the Trade Route?

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does North Dakota State University-Main Campus's Computer Science program score?

A score of 82/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. North Dakota State University-Main Campus's Computer Science graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.

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.

Why are Computer Science earnings lower at North Dakota State University-Main Campus?

Lower starting pay at North Dakota State University-Main Campus may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →