Home › University of North Carolina Asheville › Computer Science

Computer Science at University of North Carolina Asheville

Asheville, NC · Public · Bachelor's Degree
80 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
81
Optimistic
80
Base Case
74
Pessimistic
Earnings $48,076/yr (-35% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (72% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (295,800 openings/yr)
ROI 32.5x earnings multiple (9.8x out-of-state)
Ranked #144 of 345 Computer Science 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 $1,017K $969K $726K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 34.1x 32.5x 24.3x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 10.2x 9.8x 7.3x
Probability of Field Employment 80% 73% 40%
DegreeOutlook Score 81 80 74

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$29,844
Out-of-state: $99,236 (9.8x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$51,460
-72% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$22,147
5.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$94,030
96% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $48,076 place University of North Carolina Asheville below the $73,713 national median for Computer Science — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 32.5x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Computer Science programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Computer Science's typical career paths, with 72% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 29% gap from the optimistic case.

With first-year pay of $48,076 far exceeding the $22,147 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

At #144 of 345 Computer Science programs, University of North Carolina Asheville scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Five-year earnings of $94,030 show a 96% jump from the $48,076 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About University of North Carolina Asheville

University of North Carolina Asheville accepts 94% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, a compact campus enrolling 2,790 students in Asheville, NC.

See all programs and financial aid at University of North Carolina Asheville →

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) University of California-Berkeley ($149,866) Princeton University ($146,624)

Other Majors at University of North Carolina Asheville

Engineering, General ($73,410) Accounting and Related Services ($53,705) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($44,945) Chemistry ($36,891) Mathematics ($33,651) Economics ($28,301) History ($28,205) Biology, General ($27,943)

Consider the Trade Route?

Compare Computer Science trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Computer Science at University of North Carolina Asheville?
This program scores 80/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Computer Science nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, manageable AI risk, and solid financial return.
Will AI replace Computer Science careers?
With 72% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $726,075 in decade earnings vs $1,016,856 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Computer Science from University of North Carolina Asheville?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →