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Computer & Information Sciences · Computer Science Rank #335 of 345

Computer Scienceat Widener University

Graduates earn $51,536/yr in their first year — about 30.0% below the national Computer Science average. Base-case 10-year earnings $564K; scenarios range from $505K to $571K depending on AI disruption.

Chester, PA Private nonprofit Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
54 AVERAGE
55
Optimistic
47
Pessimistic
Earnings
$51,536
1-year post-graduation
ROI
1.4x
Earnings : tuition
10-yr Base
$564K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Very High
61% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Widener University

While the career paths listed represent the high end of the tech industry, your initial job after Widener will likely be grounded in the regional Philadelphia market. This area has a strong, but not top-tier, tech scene dominated by established sectors like healthcare, finance, and defense contracting—think firms like Comcast, Vanguard, or Boeing's local operations. These companies offer stable, valuable careers but don't typically compete on salary with the West Coast tech giants that pull national averages upward. Your early career might involve roles in IT support, quality assurance, or software development for these more traditional corporations rather than cutting-edge startups. To maximize your prospects, aggressively pursue co-op and internship opportunities in the Philadelphia Corridor; hands-on experience and local network connections will be absolutely critical for landing a competitive first role.

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
$505K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score47/100
Earnings Multiple2.4x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$564K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score54/100
Earnings Multiple2.6x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$571K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score55/100
Earnings Multiple2.7x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Widener 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 Widener 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
Same state (PA)
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 Widener University

Other top programs at Widener University

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Widener 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 Widener University

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Computer Science at Widener University?

This program scores 54/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Computer Science programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.

Will AI replace Computer Science careers?

With 72% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $504,821 in decade earnings vs $571,497 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

Can you still earn well with Computer Science from Widener 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.