Computer Scienceat University of North Carolina Asheville
Graduates earn $48,076/yr in their first year — about 35.0% below the national Computer Science average. Base-case 10-year earnings $969K; scenarios range from $726K to $1,017K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at University of North Carolina Asheville
While the raw numbers might seem low for computer science, they reflect UNC Asheville’s specific context. As a public liberal arts university, the program emphasizes broad critical thinking over the intense, pre-professional focus of a large engineering school. More importantly, Asheville is a hub for tourism, healthcare, and small businesses, not a major tech corridor like Raleigh or Charlotte. Many graduates take their first jobs locally with smaller firms, startups, or non-profits where the pay scale is lower than in major tech markets. You won't find the aggressive on-campus recruiting pipelines that lead directly to FAANG companies here.
Your key takeaway: If you want to stay in Western North Carolina, this is a solid path. But if your goal is a top-tier salary, be prepared to treat your internships and job search as a statewide or national effort from day one.
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 University of North Carolina Asheville'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 University of North Carolina Asheville stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at University of North Carolina Asheville
Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of North Carolina Asheville, 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 University of North Carolina Asheville
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.