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Computer Science at Wake Forest University

Winston-Salem, NC · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
76 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
77
Optimistic
76
Base Case
69
Pessimistic
Earnings $75,625/yr (3% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (72% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (295,800 openings/yr)
ROI 5.2x earnings multiple
Ranked #193 of 345 Computer Science 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 $1,444K $1,357K $938K
Earnings Multiple 5.6x 5.2x 3.6x
Probability of Field Employment 80% 73% 40%
DegreeOutlook Score 77 76 69

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$259,032
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$114,984
56% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,549
3.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$140,759
86% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Wake Forest University's Computer Science program produces graduates earning $75,625/yr — within striking distance of the $73,713 national average for this field.

A 5.2x earnings multiple over ten years puts this program in solid financial territory. Tuition is well-justified by projected earnings.

Career paths for Computer Science carry above-average AI exposure (72% of tasks). The 35% scenario spread means the difference between optimistic and pessimistic outcomes is substantial.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $20,549 in median debt clears quickly against $75,625 in annual earnings.

A #193 ranking among 345 Computer Science programs places Wake Forest University in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

The $75,625-to-$140,759 earnings arc over five years reflects a 86% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About Wake Forest University

Admission to Wake Forest University is competitive, with 22% of applicants accepted, enrolling 5,471 students in Winston-Salem, NC. After financial aid, the average student pays $114,984 over four years — 56% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at Wake Forest 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 13 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Compare this program → View all 345 schools offering Computer Science →

Computer Science at Other Schools

California Institute of Technology ($173,344) Carnegie Mellon University ($171,264) Massachusetts Institute of Technology ($154,492) Cornell University ($152,656) Harvard University ($152,251) Brown University ($151,065) University of California-Berkeley ($149,866) Princeton University ($146,624)

Other Majors at Wake Forest University

Finance and Financial Management Services ($85,944) Business/Commerce, General ($76,722) Economics ($56,416) Political Science and Government ($47,161) Sociology ($46,257) Communication and Media Studies ($42,055) Psychology, General ($34,823) English Language and Literature, General ($31,449)

Consider the Trade Route?

Compare Computer Science trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

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 does a 76/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Computer Science at Wake Forest University?
At 76/100, the score looks reasonable — but Computer Science is a high-scoring field overall. Compared to peers, this program's earnings and ROI fall below the median.
Should I worry about AI if I study Computer Science at Wake Forest University?
The 72% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
What do students actually pay for Computer Science at Wake Forest University?
The 56% gap between sticker price and net cost means most students pay far less than $259,032. At a net cost of $114,984, the earnings multiple improves substantially.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →