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Computer & Information Sciences · Computer Science Rank #174 of 345

Computer Scienceat Rochester Institute of Technology

Graduates earn $94,611/yr in their first year — about 28.0% above the national Computer Science average. Base-case 10-year earnings $1,213K; scenarios range from $859K to $1,285K depending on AI disruption.

Rochester, NY Private nonprofit Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
78 STRONG
79
Optimistic
71
Pessimistic
Earnings
$94,611
1-year post-graduation
ROI
5.0x
Earnings : tuition
10-yr Base
$1,213K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Very High
61% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at RIT

At $94,611 per year, Computer Science graduates from Rochester Institute of Technology significantly outpace the $73,713 national average for this major, reflecting strong employer demand for this program's graduates.

The earnings-to-cost ratio of 5.3x signals a solid financial return — projected decade earnings comfortably exceed the tuition investment.

The 33% 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.

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.

Ranked #174 of 345 Computer Science programs, Rochester Institute of Technology falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Earnings grow from $94,611 to $136,522 over five years — a 44% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

AI Outlook Integration

Three scenarios, ten years out

Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$859K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score71/100
Earnings Multiple3.8x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$1,213K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score78/100
Earnings Multiple5.3x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$1,285K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score79/100
Earnings Multiple5.6x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to RIT's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Computer Science graduates typically work

Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.

1
Computer and information systems managers
+15.2% 10-yr growth · 55,600 openings/yr
$171,200/yr
High
2
Computer and information research scientists
+19.7% 10-yr growth · 3,200 openings/yr
$140,910/yr
High
3
Database architects
+8.7% 10-yr growth · 4,000 openings/yr
$135,980/yr
Very High
4
Software developers
+15.8% 10-yr growth · 115,200 openings/yr
$133,080/yr
Very High
5
Information security analysts
+28.5% 10-yr growth · 16,000 openings/yr
$124,910/yr
High
6
Data scientists
+33.5% 10-yr growth · 23,400 openings/yr
$112,590/yr
High
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Computer Science

How RIT stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
California Institute of Technology
CA · Private nonprofit
67
DW Score
$173K
1-yr earn
5.9x
ROI
Carnegie Mellon University
PA · Private nonprofit
81
DW Score
$171K
1-yr earn
8.9x
ROI
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
MA · Private nonprofit
81
DW Score
$154K
1-yr earn
8.1x
ROI
Same state (NY)
Cornell University
NY · Private nonprofit
80
DW Score
$153K
1-yr earn
7.3x
ROI
Harvard University
MA · Private nonprofit
81
DW Score
$152K
1-yr earn
8.3x
ROI
Also at RIT

Other top programs at RIT

Other highest-scoring programs offered at RIT, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.

Consider the trade route

Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Computer Science offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.

Compare Computer Science trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Computer Science at RIT

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Computer Science at Rochester Institute of Technology?

This program scores 78/100 — 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 $859,340 in decade earnings vs $1,285,103 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.