Computer Scienceat Washington University in St Louis
Graduates earn $110,302/yr in their first year — about 50.0% above the national Computer Science average. Base-case 10-year earnings $1,056K; scenarios range from $774K to $1,113K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Washington University in St Louis
While WashU isn't located in a primary tech hub, its national prestige acts as a powerful launchpad. Your high earning potential isn't just about the St. Louis market; it's about the university's powerful recruiting pipeline that places graduates at top-tier firms like Google, Microsoft, and Amazon across the country. The program's strength lies in its rigorous, theoretical foundation, preparing you not just to code, but to design complex systems and lead teams, which explains the path to higher-level roles. St. Louis itself has a growing tech and biotech scene, with employers like Boeing and the Cortex Innovation Community providing solid local opportunities. To maximize this degree, leverage the on-campus recruiting events for coastal tech giants from day one; your biggest advantage is the access this elite brand provides, regardless of its Midwest location.
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.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Washington University in St Louis's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
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.
Peer schools offering Computer Science
How Washington University in St Louis stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Washington University in St Louis
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Washington University in St Louis, 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 →Frequently asked about Computer Science at Washington University in St Louis
How does Washington University in St Louis's Computer Science program score?
A score of 65/100 reflects decent absolute metrics, but Washington University in St Louis trails the majority of Computer Science programs on relative rankings. Context matters more than the raw number.
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.
How affordable is Computer Science at Washington University in St Louis after financial aid?
Sticker price is $251,928, but the average net cost is $88,468 — a 65% discount. For students who qualify for aid, this program is considerably more affordable than it appears.