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Computer Science at Purdue University-Main Campus

West Lafayette, IN · Public · Bachelor's Degree
90 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
91
Optimistic
90
Base Case
83
Pessimistic
Earnings $94,786/yr (29% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (72% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (295,800 openings/yr)
ROI 33.8x earnings multiple (11.7x out-of-state)
Ranked #8 of 345 Computer Science programs Top 5%

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 $1,438K $1,352K $935K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 36.0x 33.8x 23.4x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 12.5x 11.7x 8.1x
Probability of Field Employment 80% 73% 40%
DegreeOutlook Score 91 90 83

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$39,968
Out-of-state: $115,176 (11.7x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$55,780
-40% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,136
2.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$149,545
58% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Purdue University-Main Campus Computer Science graduates command $94,786/yr out of the gate, well above the $73,713 national median. That 29% premium suggests the program's reputation carries real labor-market weight.

With a 33.8x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

Career paths for Computer Science carry above-average AI exposure (72% of tasks). The 35% scenario spread means the difference between optimistic and pessimistic outcomes is substantial.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $19,136 in median debt clears quickly against $94,786 in annual earnings.

Purdue University-Main Campus ranks #8 among 345 Computer Science programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

The $94,786-to-$149,545 earnings arc over five years reflects a 58% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About Purdue University-Main Campus

Purdue University-Main Campus's 50% acceptance rate reflects moderate selectivity, with 39,637 students enrolled in West Lafayette, IN.

See all programs and financial aid at Purdue University-Main Campus →

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)

Compare Computer Science

Purdue University-Main Campus vs University of California-Berkeley →

Other Majors at Purdue University-Main Campus

Computer Engineering ($89,965) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($84,300) Industrial Engineering ($81,379) Chemical Engineering ($81,105) Mechanical Engineering ($80,374) Materials Engineering ($78,265) Construction Engineering ($76,966) Architectural Engineering Technologies/Technicians ($75,913)

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

What does a 90/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Computer Science at Purdue University-Main Campus?
At 90/100, 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 Purdue University-Main Campus?
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.
Is Purdue University-Main Campus one of the best schools for Computer Science?
Among 345 Computer Science programs, Purdue University-Main Campus's #8 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →