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Computer & Information Sciences · Computer Science Rank #169 of 345

Computer Scienceat Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Graduates earn $93,888/yr in their first year — about 27.0% above the national Computer Science average. Base-case 10-year earnings $1,344K; scenarios range from $931K to $1,429K depending on AI disruption.

Worcester, MA Private nonprofit Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
78 STRONG
80
Optimistic
72
Pessimistic
Earnings
$93,888
1-year post-graduation
ROI
5.3x
Earnings : tuition
10-yr Base
$1,344K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Very High
61% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at WPI

At $93,888 per year, Computer Science graduates from Worcester Polytechnic Institute significantly outpace the $73,713 national average for this major, reflecting strong employer demand for this program's graduates.

The earnings-to-cost ratio of 5.7x signals a solid financial return — projected decade earnings comfortably exceed the tuition investment.

The 35% gap between optimistic and pessimistic AI scenarios is notable. With 72% of typical tasks exposed to automation, AI adoption could meaningfully shift career outcomes for Computer Science graduates.

The median debt load of $27,000 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

At #169 of 345 Computer Science programs, Worcester Polytechnic Institute scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Five-year earnings of $148,489 show a 58% jump from the $93,888 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

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
$931K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score72/100
Earnings Multiple3.9x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$1,344K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score78/100
Earnings Multiple5.7x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$1,429K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score80/100
Earnings Multiple6.0x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to WPI'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 WPI 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
Same state (MA)
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 WPI

Other top programs at WPI

Other highest-scoring programs offered at WPI, 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 WPI

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Computer Science at Worcester Polytechnic Institute?

This program scores 78/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Computer Science nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, manageable AI risk, and solid financial return.

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 $931,042 in decade earnings vs $1,429,435 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.