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Computer Science at Portland State University

Portland, OR · Public · Bachelor's Degree
88 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
90
Optimistic
88
Base Case
81
Pessimistic
Earnings $78,669/yr (7% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (72% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (295,800 openings/yr)
ROI 25.9x earnings multiple (9.7x out-of-state)
Ranked #30 of 345 Computer Science programs Top 10%

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 $1,234K $1,166K $834K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 27.4x 25.9x 18.6x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 10.2x 9.7x 6.9x
Probability of Field Employment 80% 73% 40%
DegreeOutlook Score 90 88 81

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$44,952
Out-of-state: $120,552 (9.7x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$51,728
-15% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$25,000
3.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$126,086
60% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $78,669 at Portland State University come in 7% above the national median of $73,713 for Computer Science programs.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 25.9x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Computer Science programs nationally.

The 32% gap between optimistic and pessimistic AI scenarios is notable. With 72% of typical tasks exposed to automation, AI adoption could meaningfully shift career outcomes for Computer Science graduates.

With first-year pay of $78,669 far exceeding the $25,000 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

Ranked #30 of 345 programs, Portland State University's Computer Science program falls in the top 10%, outperforming most peers on financial outcomes.

Five-year earnings of $126,086 show a 60% jump from the $78,669 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Portland State University

Portland State University accepts 91% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, serving 13,619 students in Portland, OR.

See all programs and financial aid at Portland State 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 Portland State University

Computer Engineering ($87,259) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($82,853) Mechanical Engineering ($73,079) Civil Engineering ($67,509) Physics ($62,749) Accounting and Related Services ($58,069) Finance and Financial Management Services ($52,859) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($51,358)

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 is the DegreeOutlook Score for Computer Science at Portland State University?
This program scores 88/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Computer Science nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, manageable AI risk, and solid financial return.
Will AI replace Computer Science careers?
With 72% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $833,868 in decade earnings vs $1,233,831 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →