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Computer and Information Sciences, General at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Troy, NY · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
79 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
80
Optimistic
79
Base Case
72
Pessimistic
Earnings $85,172/yr (36% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (69% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (338,800 openings/yr)
ROI 6.8x earnings multiple
Ranked #199 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 and Information Sciences, General graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption		 Base Case
Gradual AI		 Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $1,788K $1,683K $1,142K
Earnings Multiple 7.2x 6.8x 4.6x
Probability of Field Employment 80% 74% 42%
DegreeOutlook Score 80 79 72

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$247,536
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$132,556
46% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$27,000
3.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$170,829
101% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $85,172 per year, Computer and Information Sciences, General graduates from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute significantly outpace the $62,617 national average for this major, reflecting strong employer demand for this program's graduates.

A 6.8x earnings multiple over ten years puts this program in solid financial territory. Tuition is well-justified by projected earnings.

Career paths for Computer and Information Sciences, General carry above-average AI exposure (69% of tasks). The 36% scenario spread means the difference between optimistic and pessimistic outcomes is substantial.

The median debt load of $27,000 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

A #199 ranking among 443 Computer and Information Sciences, General programs places Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

The $85,172-to-$170,829 earnings arc over five years reflects a 101% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute accepts 58% of applicants, balancing access with selectivity, serving 5,909 students in Troy, NY. After financial aid, the average student pays $132,556 over four years — 46% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute →

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 and Information Sciences, General →

Computer and Information Sciences, General 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 ($115,587) Northeastern University Professional Programs ($115,587) University of Michigan-Ann Arbor ($113,634) University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign ($113,503)

Other Majors at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Computer Science ($104,943) Computer Engineering Technologies/Technicians ($94,722) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($83,412) Mathematics ($80,196) Chemical Engineering ($78,263) Nuclear Engineering ($77,014) Industrial Engineering ($74,787) Biomedical/Medical Engineering ($74,427)

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

Compare Computer and Information Sciences, General 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 79/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Computer and Information Sciences, General at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute?
At 79/100, 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 and Information Sciences, General at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute?
The 69% 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.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →