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Computer and Information Sciences, General at South Texas College

McAllen, TX · Public · Bachelor's Degree
66 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
67
Optimistic
66
Base Case
66
Pessimistic
Earnings $40,288/yr (-36% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (69% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (338,800 openings/yr)
ROI 29.9x earnings multiple (19.6x out-of-state)
Ranked #347 of 443 Computer and Information Sciences, General programs

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 $598K $589K $521K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 30.4x 29.9x 26.5x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 19.9x 19.6x 17.4x
Probability of Field Employment 80% 74% 42%
DegreeOutlook Score 67 66 66

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$19,680
Out-of-state: $30,000 (19.6x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$5,164
74% less than sticker · See by income
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$57,686
43% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $40,288/yr fall 36% below the $62,617 national median for Computer and Information Sciences, General. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

With a 29.9x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 13% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Computer and Information Sciences, General career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

A #347 ranking among 443 Computer and Information Sciences, General programs places South Texas College in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

A 43% earnings increase from $40,288 to $57,686 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About South Texas College

enrolling 16,131 students in McAllen, TX. Financial aid reduces the effective four-year cost to $5,164 — 74% less than the list price.

See all programs and financial aid at South Texas 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 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 South Texas College

Health and Medical Administrative Services ($33,063) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($31,973)

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 66/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Computer and Information Sciences, General at South Texas College?
At 66/100, the score looks reasonable — but Computer and Information Sciences, General is a high-scoring field overall. Compared to peers, this program's earnings and ROI fall below the median.
Should I worry about AI if I study Computer and Information Sciences, General at South Texas College?
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.
Is South Texas College a good choice for Computer and Information Sciences, General despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If South Texas College's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
What do students actually pay for Computer and Information Sciences, General at South Texas College?
The 74% gap between sticker price and net cost means most students pay far less than $19,680. At a net cost of $5,164, the earnings multiple improves substantially.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →