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Computer Science at Rhode Island College

Providence, RI · Public · Bachelor's Degree
68 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
69
Optimistic
68
Base Case
61
Pessimistic
Earnings $60,361/yr (-18% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (72% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (295,800 openings/yr)
ROI 14.5x earnings multiple (6.0x out-of-state)
Ranked #254 of 345 Computer Science programs

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 $653K $638K $545K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 14.9x 14.5x 12.4x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 6.2x 6.0x 5.1x
Probability of Field Employment 80% 73% 40%
DegreeOutlook Score 69 68 61

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$43,944
Out-of-state: $106,076 (6.0x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$43,952
-0% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$22,801
4.5 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $60,361 place Rhode Island College below the $73,713 national median for Computer Science — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 14.5x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Computer Science programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Computer Science's typical career paths, with 72% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 16% gap from the optimistic case.

With first-year pay of $60,361 far exceeding the $22,801 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

Ranked #254 of 345 Computer Science programs, Rhode Island College falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

About Rhode Island College

Rhode Island College accepts 81% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, a smaller institution with 4,630 students in Providence, RI. 41% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating strong socioeconomic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at Rhode Island College →

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 Rhode Island College

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($73,235) Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions ($60,999) Special Education and Teaching ($50,060) Health and Medical Administrative Services ($49,825) Accounting and Related Services ($48,921) Management Information Systems and Services ($47,857) Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas ($44,789) Chemistry ($44,648)

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 Rhode Island College?
This program scores 68/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Computer Science programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.
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 $545,187 in decade earnings vs $652,750 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Computer Science from Rhode Island College?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →