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Computer Science at Swarthmore College

Swarthmore, PA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Computer and Information Sciences, General
79 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
80
Optimistic
79
Base Case
73
Pessimistic
Earnings $103,686/yr (66% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (69% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (338,800 openings/yr)
ROI 5.5x earnings multiple
Ranked #204 of 443 Computer and Information Sciences, General programs Top 50%

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 $1,440K $1,364K $960K
Earnings Multiple 5.8x 5.5x 3.8x
Probability of Field Employment 80% 74% 42%
DegreeOutlook Score 80 79 73

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$249,648
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$74,744
70% less than sticker · See by income
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$153,172
48% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Swarthmore College Computer Science graduates command $103,686/yr out of the gate, well above the $62,617 national median. That 66% premium suggests the program's reputation carries real labor-market weight.

A 5.5x earnings multiple over ten years puts this program in solid financial territory. Tuition is well-justified by projected earnings.

Career paths for Computer Science carry above-average AI exposure (69% of tasks). The 33% scenario spread means the difference between optimistic and pessimistic outcomes is substantial.

A #204 ranking among 443 Computer Science programs places Swarthmore College in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

A 48% earnings increase from $103,686 to $153,172 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About Swarthmore College

Only 7% of applicants gain admission to Swarthmore College, reflecting elite selectivity, a smaller institution with 1,627 students in Swarthmore, PA. The average net cost of $74,744 over four years represents a 70% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at Swarthmore 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 Science →

Computer Science 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 Swarthmore College

Economics ($76,944) Mathematics ($72,656) Biology, General ($41,122) Political Science and Government ($40,449)

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

Compare Computer Science 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 79/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Computer Science at Swarthmore College?
At 79/100, this is a high-performing program. The DegreeOutlook Score combines earnings, AI resilience, and ROI — and this program delivers on all three.
Should I worry about AI if I study Computer Science at Swarthmore 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.
What do students actually pay for Computer Science at Swarthmore College?
The 70% gap between sticker price and net cost means most students pay far less than $249,648. At a net cost of $74,744, the earnings multiple improves substantially.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →