Computer Scienceat University of California-Santa Cruz
Graduates earn $75,150/yr in their first year — about 2.0% above the national Computer Science average. Base-case 10-year earnings $1,125K; scenarios range from $812K to $1,189K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at UC Santa Cruz
Graduates earn $75,150/yr, roughly in line with the $73,713 national median for Computer Science. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.
With a 19.3x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.
Career paths for Computer Science carry above-average AI exposure (72% of tasks). The 32% scenario spread means the difference between optimistic and pessimistic outcomes is substantial.
With first-year pay of $75,150 far exceeding the $16,499 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.
At #35 of 345 programs, this Computer Science program outperforms the majority of its peers. The top 10% ranking reflects consistently above-average outcomes.
The $75,150-to-$120,928 earnings arc over five years reflects a 61% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.
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.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to UC Santa Cruz's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
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.
Peer schools offering Computer Science
How UC Santa Cruz stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at UC Santa Cruz
Other highest-scoring programs offered at UC Santa Cruz, 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 →Frequently asked about Computer Science at UC Santa Cruz
What does a 87/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Computer Science at University of California-Santa Cruz?
At 87/100, 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 University of California-Santa Cruz?
The 72% 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.