Computer Science at South Texas College

McAllen, TX · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Computer and Information Sciences, General
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

Program Analysis

While the career paths listed represent the high end of the tech industry, your initial earnings will be shaped by the Rio Grande Valley's local economy. This region isn't a major tech hub like Austin or Dallas, so the jobs available to new graduates are often in IT support, network administration, or web development for local businesses, school districts, and healthcare systems. The lower cost of living in the McAllen area also corresponds to more modest starting salaries compared to national benchmarks. Your degree provides a strong technical foundation, but breaking into higher-paying software development or data science roles may require relocating or building a remote work portfolio. To maximize your investment, actively seek out internships with national companies that recruit remotely; this experience will be your most valuable asset when competing for jobs outside the local market.

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 $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

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

Computer Science at Other Schools

Other Majors at South Texas College

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

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 Science at South Texas College?
At 66/100, the score looks reasonable — but Computer Science 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 Science 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 Science 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 Science 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 →