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Computer & Information Sciences · Computer Science Rank #130 of 345

Computer Scienceat Northeastern Illinois University

Graduates earn $62,831/yr in their first year — about 15.0% below the national Computer Science average. Base-case 10-year earnings $835K; scenarios range from $653K to $869K depending on AI disruption.

Chicago, IL Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
81 STRONG
83
Optimistic
74
Pessimistic
Earnings
$62,831
1-year post-graduation
ROI
17.0x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$835K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Very High
61% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Northeastern Illinois University

Graduates earn $62,831/yr, roughly in line with the $73,713 national median for Computer Science. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

The 16.8x 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.

With first-year pay of $62,831 far exceeding the $13,070 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

Ranked #130 out of 345 programs, Northeastern Illinois University's Computer Science offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $62,831 to $89,158 shows 42% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

AI Outlook Integration

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.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$653K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score74/100
Earnings Multiple13.2x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$835K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score81/100
Earnings Multiple16.8x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$869K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score83/100
Earnings Multiple17.5x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Northeastern Illinois University's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Computer Science graduates typically work

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.

1
Computer and information systems managers
+15.2% 10-yr growth · 55,600 openings/yr
$171,200/yr
High
2
Computer and information research scientists
+19.7% 10-yr growth · 3,200 openings/yr
$140,910/yr
High
3
Database architects
+8.7% 10-yr growth · 4,000 openings/yr
$135,980/yr
Very High
4
Software developers
+15.8% 10-yr growth · 115,200 openings/yr
$133,080/yr
Very High
5
Information security analysts
+28.5% 10-yr growth · 16,000 openings/yr
$124,910/yr
High
6
Data scientists
+33.5% 10-yr growth · 23,400 openings/yr
$112,590/yr
High
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Computer Science

How Northeastern Illinois University stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
California Institute of Technology
CA · Private nonprofit
67
DW Score
$173K
1-yr earn
5.9x
ROI
Carnegie Mellon University
PA · Private nonprofit
81
DW Score
$171K
1-yr earn
8.9x
ROI
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
MA · Private nonprofit
81
DW Score
$154K
1-yr earn
8.1x
ROI
Cornell University
NY · Private nonprofit
80
DW Score
$153K
1-yr earn
7.3x
ROI
Harvard University
MA · Private nonprofit
81
DW Score
$152K
1-yr earn
8.3x
ROI
Also at Northeastern Illinois University

Other top programs at Northeastern Illinois University

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Northeastern Illinois University, 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 →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Computer Science at Northeastern Illinois University

How does Northeastern Illinois University's Computer Science program score?

A score of 81/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. Northeastern Illinois University'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.