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Computer & Information Sciences · Computer Science Rank #135 of 345

Computer Scienceat University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus

Graduates earn $77,599/yr in their first year — about 5.0% above the national Computer Science average. Base-case 10-year earnings $944K; scenarios range from $712K to $989K depending on AI disruption.

Pittsburgh, PA Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
81 STRONG
83
Optimistic
74
Pessimistic
Earnings
$77,599
1-year post-graduation
ROI
11.2x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$944K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Very High
61% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at University of Pittsburgh

Graduates earn $77,599/yr, edging above the $73,713 national average for Computer Science — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 11.0x 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 28% gap from the optimistic case.

At $25,750 in median debt against $77,599 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

At #135 of 345 Computer Science programs, University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Earnings grow from $77,599 to $104,624 over five years — a 35% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career 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
$712K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score74/100
Earnings Multiple8.3x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$944K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score81/100
Earnings Multiple11.0x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$989K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score83/100
Earnings Multiple11.5x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to University of Pittsburgh'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 Pittsburgh 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
Same state (PA)
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 Pittsburgh

Other top programs at University of Pittsburgh

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

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Computer Science at University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus?

This program scores 81/100 — 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 $712,471 in decade earnings vs $989,476 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.