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Computer & Information Sciences · Computer Science Rank #65 of 345

Computer Scienceat University of Minnesota-Twin Cities

Graduates earn $82,861/yr in their first year — about 12.0% above the national Computer Science average. Base-case 10-year earnings $994K; scenarios range from $740K to $1,044K depending on AI disruption.

Minneapolis, MN Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
86 ELITE
87
Optimistic
79
Pessimistic
Earnings
$82,861
1-year post-graduation
ROI
15.9x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$994K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Very High
61% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at University of Minnesota

University of Minnesota-Twin Cities's Computer Science graduates start at $82,861/yr — above the $73,713 national average, though not by a wide margin.

The 15.1x 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 29% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $18,577 in median debt clears quickly against $82,861 in annual earnings.

Ranked #65 out of 345 programs, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities's Computer Science program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $82,861 to $111,199 shows 34% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

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
$740K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score79/100
Earnings Multiple11.2x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$994K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score86/100
Earnings Multiple15.1x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$1,044K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score87/100
Earnings Multiple15.8x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

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

Other top programs at University of Minnesota

Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of Minnesota, 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 University of Minnesota

How does University of Minnesota-Twin Cities's Computer Science program score?

A score of 86/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. University of Minnesota-Twin Cities'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 Minnesota-Twin Cities rank so high for Computer Science?

The #65 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.