Home › Virginia State University › Computer Science

Computer Science at Virginia State University

Petersburg, VA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Computer and Information Sciences, General
45 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
46
Optimistic
45
Base Case
50
Pessimistic
Earnings $35,746/yr (-43% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (69% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (338,800 openings/yr)
ROI 11.1x earnings multiple (4.9x out-of-state)
Ranked #435 of 443 Computer and Information Sciences, General programs

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 $426K $431K $432K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 10.9x 11.1x 11.1x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.8x 4.9x 4.9x
Probability of Field Employment 80% 74% 42%
DegreeOutlook Score 46 45 50

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$39,020
Out-of-state: $88,024 (4.9x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$58,212
-49% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$24,615
8.3 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

At $35,746 per year, Computer Science graduates from Virginia State University earn below the $62,617 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

The 11.1x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 69% task exposure — and the -1% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $24,615 debt-to-$35,746 income ratio translates to about 8 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #435 out of 443 programs, Virginia State University's financial outcomes for Computer Science trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

About Virginia State University

With 89% of applicants admitted, Virginia State University prioritizes broad access, a smaller institution with 4,787 students in Petersburg, VA. Pell Grant recipients make up 71% of the student body — a marker of economic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at Virginia State 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

Compare this program → View all 443 schools offering Computer Science →

Computer Science at Other Schools

University of Pennsylvania ($146,204) University of California-Los Angeles ($136,099) Yale University ($133,293) Rice University ($131,154) Northeastern University ($115,587) Northeastern University Professional Programs ($115,587) University of Michigan-Ann Arbor ($113,634) University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign ($113,503)

Other Majors at Virginia State University

Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians ($65,472) Accounting and Related Services ($46,688) Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities ($34,877) Criminal Justice and Corrections ($34,604) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($30,480) Social Work ($28,527) Psychology, General ($28,513) Biology, General ($28,169)

Explore the Trade Alternative

Compare Computer Science trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Virginia State University's Computer Science program score?
This program scores 45/100 — on the lower end for Computer Science. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
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 69% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why are Computer Science earnings lower at Virginia State University?
Lower starting pay at Virginia State University may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →