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Computer & Information Sciences · Computer Science Rank #242 of 345

Computer Scienceat University of Southern Maine

Graduates earn $67,956/yr in their first year — about 8.0% below the national Computer Science average. Base-case 10-year earnings $702K; scenarios range from $580K to $723K depending on AI disruption.

Portland, ME Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
71 STRONG
72
Optimistic
64
Pessimistic
Earnings
$67,956
1-year post-graduation
ROI
14.6x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$702K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Very High
61% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at University of Southern Maine

At $67,956/yr, Computer Science graduates from University of Southern Maine land near the $73,713 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 16.1x 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 20% gap from the optimistic case.

The median debt load of $17,500 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

Ranked #242 of 345 Computer Science programs, University of Southern Maine falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

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
$580K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score64/100
Earnings Multiple13.3x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$702K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score71/100
Earnings Multiple16.1x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$723K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score72/100
Earnings Multiple16.5x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

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

Other top programs at University of Southern Maine

Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of Southern Maine, 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 Southern Maine

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Computer Science at University of Southern Maine?

This program scores 71/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Computer Science programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.

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 $579,926 in decade earnings vs $722,678 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.