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Computer Science at Northeastern University

Boston, MA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Computer and Information Sciences, General
79 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
80
Optimistic
79
Base Case
74
Pessimistic
Earnings $115,587/yr (85% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (69% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (338,800 openings/yr)
ROI 5.1x earnings multiple
Ranked #195 of 443 Computer and Information Sciences, General 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 $1,355K $1,285K $916K
Earnings Multiple 5.4x 5.1x 3.6x
Probability of Field Employment 80% 74% 42%
DegreeOutlook Score 80 79 74

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$252,564
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$128,464
49% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$22,583
2.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$149,127
29% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Northeastern University Computer Science graduates command $115,587/yr out of the gate, well above the $62,617 national median. That 85% premium suggests the program's reputation carries real labor-market weight.

At 5.1x the cost of in-state tuition, the ten-year earnings outlook represents a strong return. Not exceptional, but meaningfully positive.

AI exposure is significant at 69% of job tasks, producing a 32% spread between best and worst-case decade earnings. The field isn't immune to disruption.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $22,583 in median debt clears quickly against $115,587 in annual earnings.

Ranked #195 out of 443 programs, Northeastern University's Computer Science offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $115,587 to $149,127 shows 29% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About Northeastern University

Only 6% of applicants gain admission to Northeastern University, reflecting elite selectivity, with a mid-sized student body of 15,719 in Boston, MA. Financial aid reduces the effective four-year cost to $128,464 — 49% less than the list price.

See all programs and financial aid at Northeastern University →

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 14 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Compare this program → View all 443 schools offering Computer Science →

Computer Science at Other Schools

University of Pennsylvania ($146,204) University of California-Los Angeles ($136,099) Yale University ($133,293) Rice University ($131,154) Northeastern University Professional Programs ($115,587) University of Michigan-Ann Arbor ($113,634) University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign ($113,503) The University of Texas at Austin ($111,587)

Other Majors at Northeastern University

Computer Engineering ($99,499) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($92,222) Chemical Engineering ($81,880) International Business ($80,848) Mechanical Engineering ($80,255) Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($78,713) Industrial Engineering ($77,066) Mathematics ($76,392)

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

Compare Computer Science trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Northeastern University's Computer Science program score?
A score of 79/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. Northeastern 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 69% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →