Computer Scienceat University of San Diego
Graduates earn $104,948/yr in their first year — about 42.0% above the national Computer Science average. Base-case 10-year earnings $1,011K; scenarios range from $749K to $1,063K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at University of San Diego
While the raw earnings numbers are impressive, they reflect your direct access to San Diego's thriving tech and defense sectors. This isn't just a generic CS degree; it's one situated in a high-wage ecosystem where companies like Qualcomm, Viasat, and numerous defense contractors actively recruit. USD's smaller class sizes and liberal arts foundation can also be an advantage, producing well-rounded engineers who communicate effectively—a trait highly valued in project management and client-facing roles. You're not just competing on technical skills; you're competing on your ability to lead and translate complex ideas. To maximize this advantage, leverage the alumni network from day one. Your goal shouldn't just be an internship, but an internship at a local defense or biotech firm where you can gain security clearance or specialized experience, making you an incredibly valuable hire upon graduation.
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 San Diego'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 San Diego stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at University of San Diego
Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of San Diego, 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 San Diego
How does University of San Diego's Computer Science program score?
A score of 65/100 reflects decent absolute metrics, but University of San Diego trails the majority of Computer Science programs on relative rankings. Context matters more than the raw number.
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.