Computer Scienceat Western Michigan University
Graduates earn $60,979/yr in their first year — about 17.0% below the national Computer Science average. Base-case 10-year earnings $892K; scenarios range from $684K to $932K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Western Michigan University
First-year earnings of $60,979 place Western Michigan University below the $73,713 national median for Computer Science — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.
With a 14.6x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.
The 27% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Computer Science career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.
With first-year pay of $60,979 far exceeding the $27,000 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.
A #141 ranking among 345 Computer Science programs places Western Michigan University in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.
The $60,979-to-$93,924 earnings arc over five years reflects a 54% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.
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 Western Michigan University'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 Western Michigan University stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Western Michigan University
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Western Michigan 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 →Frequently asked about Computer Science at Western Michigan University
What does a 80/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Computer Science at Western Michigan University?
At 80/100, this is a high-performing program. The DegreeOutlook Score combines earnings, AI resilience, and ROI — and this program delivers on all three.
Should I worry about AI if I study Computer Science at Western Michigan 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.
Is Western Michigan University a good choice for Computer Science despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If Western Michigan University's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.