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Computer Science at University of California-Berkeley

Berkeley, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
90 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
92
Optimistic
90
Base Case
85
Pessimistic
Earnings $149,866/yr (103% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (72% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (295,800 openings/yr)
ROI 32.6x earnings multiple (10.6x out-of-state)
Ranked #1 of 345 Computer Science programs Top 1%

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 $2,082K $1,937K $1,255K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 35.0x 32.6x 21.1x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 11.4x 10.6x 6.9x
Probability of Field Employment 80% 73% 40%
DegreeOutlook Score 92 90 85

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$59,400
Out-of-state: $182,508 (10.6x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$59,916
-1% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$13,750
1.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$225,140
50% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $149,866 per year, Computer Science graduates from University of California-Berkeley significantly outpace the $73,713 national average for this major, reflecting strong employer demand for this program's graduates.

The 32.6x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI exposure is significant at 72% of job tasks, producing a 40% spread between best and worst-case decade earnings. The field isn't immune to disruption.

The median debt load of $13,750 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

A #1 ranking out of 345 programs puts University of California-Berkeley in the top 1% for Computer Science. By our composite measure, very few programs deliver stronger results.

Earnings growth from $149,866 to $225,140 over five years (50% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About University of California-Berkeley

With just 12% of applicants admitted, University of California-Berkeley ranks among the nation's most selective schools, with 33,073 students enrolled in Berkeley, CA.

See all programs and financial aid at University of California-Berkeley →

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

Compare this program → View all 345 schools offering Computer Science →

Computer Science at Other Schools

California Institute of Technology ($173,344) Carnegie Mellon University ($171,264) Massachusetts Institute of Technology ($154,492) Cornell University ($152,656) Harvard University ($152,251) Brown University ($151,065) Princeton University ($146,624) Pomona College ($143,084)

Other Majors at University of California-Berkeley

Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($137,295) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($90,008) Operations Research ($88,685) Mechanical Engineering ($88,497) Computer and Information Sciences, General ($88,030) Statistics ($83,227) Chemical Engineering ($81,553) Economics ($80,446)

Explore the Trade Alternative

Compare Computer Science trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

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 California-Berkeley's Computer Science program score?
A score of 90/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. University of California-Berkeley'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 does University of California-Berkeley rank so high for Computer Science?
The #1 ranking out of 345 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →