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Computer Science at Northwestern University

Evanston, IL · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
78 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
79
Optimistic
78
Base Case
72
Pessimistic
Earnings $99,981/yr (36% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (72% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (295,800 openings/yr)
ROI 5.3x earnings multiple
Ranked #166 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 $1,492K $1,401K $962K
Earnings Multiple 5.7x 5.3x 3.6x
Probability of Field Employment 80% 73% 40%
DegreeOutlook Score 79 78 72

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$263,988
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$108,572
59% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$14,646
1.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$156,137
56% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates of Northwestern University's Computer Science program earn $99,981/yr in their first year — 36% above the $73,713 national median, a strong market signal for this institution.

A 5.3x 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 36% scenario spread means the difference between optimistic and pessimistic outcomes is substantial.

At $14,646 in median debt against $99,981 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

A #166 ranking among 345 Computer Science programs places Northwestern University in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

The $99,981-to-$156,137 earnings arc over five years reflects a 56% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About Northwestern University

Northwestern University admits 7% of applicants — among the most selective institutions in the country, enrolling 8,960 students in Evanston, IL. The average net cost of $108,572 over four years represents a 59% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at Northwestern 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 13 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Compare this program → View all 345 schools offering Computer Science →

Computer Science at Other Schools

California Institute of Technology ($173,344) Carnegie Mellon University ($171,264) Massachusetts Institute of Technology ($154,492) Cornell University ($152,656) Harvard University ($152,251) Brown University ($151,065) University of California-Berkeley ($149,866) Princeton University ($146,624)

Other Majors at Northwestern University

Information Science/Studies ($102,998) Applied Mathematics ($94,684) Industrial Engineering ($89,811) Economics ($84,932) Human Resources Management and Services ($82,255) Chemical Engineering ($80,709) Mathematics ($79,530) Statistics ($77,917)

Consider the Trade Route?

Compare Computer Science trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

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

What does a 78/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Computer Science at Northwestern University?
At 78/100, this is a high-performing program. The DegreeOutlook Score combines earnings, AI resilience, and ROI — and this program delivers on all three.
Should I worry about AI if I study Computer Science at Northwestern University?
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.
What do students actually pay for Computer Science at Northwestern University?
The 59% gap between sticker price and net cost means most students pay far less than $263,988. At a net cost of $108,572, the earnings multiple improves substantially.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →