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Computer & Information Sciences · Computer Science Rank #146 of 345

Computer Scienceat Southern Utah University

Graduates earn $49,655/yr in their first year — about 33.0% below the national Computer Science average. Base-case 10-year earnings $829K; scenarios range from $649K to $862K depending on AI disruption.

Cedar City, UT Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
80 STRONG
81
Optimistic
73
Pessimistic
Earnings
$49,655
1-year post-graduation
ROI
29.8x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$829K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Very High
61% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Southern Utah University

While the career paths listed represent the high end of the tech industry, your initial earnings reflect Southern Utah's regional economy. Cedar City is not a major tech hub like Salt Lake's "Silicon Slopes," so many graduates take local jobs in IT support, web development for small businesses, or public sector roles that offer stability over cutting-edge salaries. This regional focus, rather than a pipeline to major tech firms, is the primary driver behind the earnings data. The program provides a solid, broad foundation, but lacks the specialized tracks or deep industry connections of a top-tier research university. To break into higher-paying remote or out-of-state roles, your most critical task will be building a standout portfolio of personal projects and aggressively pursuing internships far outside the local area to prove your skills to a national market.

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
$649K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score73/100
Earnings Multiple24.0x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$829K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score80/100
Earnings Multiple30.6x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$862K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score81/100
Earnings Multiple31.8x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Southern Utah University'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 Southern Utah University 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
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 Southern Utah University

Other top programs at Southern Utah University

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Southern Utah University, 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 Southern Utah University

How does Southern Utah University's Computer Science program score?

A score of 80/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. Southern Utah University's Computer Science graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.

How vulnerable is Computer Science to AI automation?

AI won't 'replace' Computer Science careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 72% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.

Why are Computer Science earnings lower at Southern Utah University?

Lower starting pay at Southern Utah University may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.