Home › Virginia Commonwealth University › Computer Science

Computer Science at Virginia Commonwealth University

Richmond, VA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Computer and Information Sciences, General

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $84,338/yr (35% vs median)

AI Risk Very High (69% exposed)

Job Market Very Large (338,800 openings/yr)

ROI 16.1x earnings multiple (6.8x out-of-state)

Ranked #47 of 443 Computer and Information Sciences, General programs Top 25%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Computer Science graduates.

	Optimistic No Disruption	Base Case Gradual AI	Pessimistic Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings	$1,108K	$1,058K	$787K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	16.8x	16.1x	12.0x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	7.1x	6.8x	5.0x
Probability of Field Employment	80%	74%	42%
DegreeOutlook Score	88	87	81

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$65,832

Out-of-state: $156,168 (6.8x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$77,808

-18% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$19,933

2.8 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$117,373

39% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $84,338 put Virginia Commonwealth University's Computer Science program 35% above the national median of $62,617 — one of the higher-earning programs in this field.

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 69% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 29% gap from the optimistic case.

With first-year pay of $84,338 far exceeding the $19,933 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

At #47 of 443 nationally, this is a top-5% Computer Science program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Earnings grow from $84,338 to $117,373 over five years — a 39% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About Virginia Commonwealth University

Virginia Commonwealth University accepts 93% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, with 20,797 students enrolled in Richmond, VA.

See all programs and financial aid at Virginia Commonwealth University →

Top Career Paths

Computer and information systems managers $171,200/yr

Computer and information research scientists $140,910/yr

Database architects $135,980/yr

View all 14 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Computer Science at Other Schools

Other Majors at Virginia Commonwealth University

Consider the Trade Route?

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Computer Science at Virginia Commonwealth University?

This program scores 87/100 — 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 69% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $786,916 in decade earnings vs $1,107,551 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

What makes Virginia Commonwealth University's Computer Science program stand out?

Ranked #47 of 443 programs nationally, Virginia Commonwealth University lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →