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Computer & Information Sciences · Computer Science Rank #193 of 345

Computer Scienceat Wake Forest University

Graduates earn $75,625/yr in their first year — about 3.0% above the national Computer Science average. Base-case 10-year earnings $1,357K; scenarios range from $938K to $1,444K depending on AI disruption.

Winston-Salem, NC Private nonprofit Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
76 STRONG
77
Optimistic
69
Pessimistic
Earnings
$75,625
1-year post-graduation
ROI
4.4x
Earnings : tuition
10-yr Base
$1,357K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Very High
61% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Wake Forest University

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.

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
$938K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score69/100
Earnings Multiple3.6x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$1,357K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score76/100
Earnings Multiple5.2x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$1,444K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score77/100
Earnings Multiple5.6x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

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

Other top programs at Wake Forest University

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Wake Forest University, 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 Wake Forest University

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.