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Computer Science at University of Arizona

Tucson, AZ · Public · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $86,040/yr (17% vs median)

AI Risk Very High (72% exposed)

Job Market Very Large (295,800 openings/yr)

ROI 18.8x earnings multiple (6.2x out-of-state)

Ranked #21 of 345 Computer Science programs Top 10%

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	$1,080K	$1,027K	$758K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	19.8x	18.8x	13.9x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	6.6x	6.2x	4.6x
Probability of Field Employment	80%	73%	40%
DegreeOutlook Score	89	88	81

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$54,504

Out-of-state: $164,380 (6.2x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$63,840

-17% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$22,000

3.1 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$115,435

34% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

University of Arizona's Computer Science graduates start at $86,040/yr — above the $73,713 national average, though not by a wide margin.

The 18.8x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 72% task exposure — and the 30% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $22,000 in median debt clears quickly against $86,040 in annual earnings.

A #21 ranking out of 345 Computer Science programs nationally puts University of Arizona in the top 10% — a strong but not elite position.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $86,040 to $115,435 shows 34% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About University of Arizona

A 86% acceptance rate means University of Arizona is accessible to most applicants, serving a student body of 40,769 in Tucson, AZ.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Arizona →

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 13 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Computer Science at Other Schools

Other Majors at University of Arizona

Explore the Trade Alternative

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does University of Arizona's Computer Science program score?

A score of 88/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. University of Arizona'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.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →