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Computer and Information Sciences, General at Western Kentucky University

Bowling Green, KY · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $48,863/yr (-22% vs median)

AI Risk Very High (69% exposed)

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

ROI 13.4x earnings multiple (5.7x out-of-state)

Ranked #294 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 and Information Sciences, General graduates.

	Optimistic No Disruption	Base Case Gradual AI	Pessimistic Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings	$626K	$615K	$536K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	13.7x	13.4x	11.7x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	5.8x	5.7x	5.0x
Probability of Field Employment	80%	74%	42%
DegreeOutlook Score	72	71	65

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$45,744

Out-of-state: $108,000 (5.7x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$43,664

5% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$18,836

4.6 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$62,798

29% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $48,863 per year, Computer and Information Sciences, General graduates from Western Kentucky University earn below the $62,617 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 13.4x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Computer and Information Sciences, General programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Computer and Information Sciences, General's typical career paths, with 69% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 14% gap from the optimistic case.

The median debt load of $18,836 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

Ranked #294 of 443 Computer and Information Sciences, General programs, Western Kentucky University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Earnings grow from $48,863 to $62,798 over five years — a 29% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About Western Kentucky University

With 97% of applicants admitted, Western Kentucky University prioritizes broad access, serving 12,267 students in Bowling Green, KY.

See all programs and financial aid at Western Kentucky 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 and Information Sciences, General at Other Schools

Other Majors at Western Kentucky 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 and Information Sciences, General at Western Kentucky University?

This program scores 71/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Computer and Information Sciences, General programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.

Will AI replace Computer and Information Sciences, General careers?

With 69% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $535,988 in decade earnings vs $625,959 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

Can you still earn well with Computer and Information Sciences, General from Western Kentucky University?

First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.

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