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Computer & Information Sciences · Computer Science Rank #6 of 345

Computer Scienceat University of Utah

Graduates earn $90,282/yr in their first year — about 22.0% above the national Computer Science average. Base-case 10-year earnings $1,025K; scenarios range from $757K to $1,078K depending on AI disruption.

Salt Lake City, UT Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
90 ELITE
91
Optimistic
82
Pessimistic
Earnings
$90,282
1-year post-graduation
ROI
30.2x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$1,025K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Very High
61% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at University of Utah

The University of Utah's strong outcomes are directly tied to its location at the heart of the "Silicon Slopes," a booming tech hub rivaling more established coastal centers. You're not just earning a degree; you're gaining entry into a vibrant local ecosystem. Major players like Adobe, Domo, and a thriving startup scene actively recruit from the U's well-regarded program, creating a powerful pipeline from classroom to career. This means your education is closely aligned with the skills local employers need, especially in areas like data analytics, cloud computing, and enterprise software. While the AI risk score seems high, it reflects that you'll be on the front lines, developing the very AI tools that are reshaping industries. To maximize this advantage, prioritize getting an internship with a local tech firm before you graduate—it's your most direct path to a high-impact, full-time offer.

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
$757K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score82/100
Earnings Multiple20.3x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$1,025K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score90/100
Earnings Multiple27.5x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$1,078K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score91/100
Earnings Multiple28.9x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

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

Other top programs at University of Utah

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

How does University of Utah's Computer Science program score?

A score of 90/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. University of Utah's Computer Science graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.

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.

Why does University of Utah rank so high for Computer Science?

The #6 ranking out of 345 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.