Computer Scienceat North Dakota State University-Main Campus
Graduates earn $60,426/yr in their first year — about 18.0% below the national Computer Science average. Base-case 10-year earnings $836K; scenarios range from $653K to $870K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at North Dakota State
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.
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 Dakota State'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 Dakota State stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at North Dakota State
Other highest-scoring programs offered at North Dakota State, 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 Dakota State
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.