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Computer Science

Instructional content is defined in code 11.0701.

Types of Degrees Computer Science Majors Are Earning

Those studying Computer Science may pursue degrees at several award levels.

Award Level	Graduates
Certificate	31
Associate’s Degree	5,649
Bachelor’s Degree	46,155
Master’s Degree	26,353
Doctor’s Degree	1,669

What Computer Science Majors Need to Know

Studies in Computer Science emphasize a specific mix of knowledge, skills, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in occupations that Computer Science graduates commonly enter.

Knowledge Areas

This major prepares you for careers needing Computer Science emphasizes the following knowledge areas:

• Computers and Electronics — Importance 4.5 / 5; level 5.8 / 7.
• English Language — Importance 3.9 / 5; level 4.3 / 7.
• Customer and Personal Service — Importance 3.4 / 5; level 4.1 / 7.
• Mathematics — Importance 3.3 / 5; level 4.2 / 7.
• Engineering and Technology — Importance 3.3 / 5; level 3.8 / 7.

^{Importance is rated 1–5; level is 1–7. Source: ONET Online — weighted across related occupations.*}

Skills

Skills built by a Computer Science program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:

• Reading Comprehension — Importance 3.9 / 5; level 4.2 / 7.
• Critical Thinking — Importance 3.9 / 5; level 4.1 / 7.
• Active Listening — Importance 3.8 / 5; level 4.0 / 7.
• Speaking — Importance 3.6 / 5; level 3.9 / 7.
• Complex Problem Solving — Importance 3.6 / 5; level 3.8 / 7.

Abilities

Innate abilities most relevant to Computer Science careers — again drawn from O*NET surveys of related occupations:

• Oral Comprehension — Importance 4.0 / 5; level 4.4 / 7.
• Written Comprehension — Importance 3.9 / 5; level 4.3 / 7.
• Deductive Reasoning — Importance 3.9 / 5; level 4.0 / 7.
• Oral Expression — Importance 3.9 / 5; level 4.3 / 7.
• Inductive Reasoning — Importance 3.8 / 5; level 3.9 / 7.

Common Job Activities

Day-to-day, Computer Science graduates report doing:

Activity	Frequency / Importance
Working with Computers	4.8 / 7
Getting Information	4.5 / 7
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge	4.3 / 7
Processing Information	4.2 / 7
Making Decisions and Solving Problems	4.2 / 7
Analyzing Data or Information	4.2 / 7
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates	4.2 / 7
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events	3.9 / 7
Thinking Creatively	3.9 / 7
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work	3.9 / 7

Technology Skills Used on the Job

Most frequently-cited tools used by Computer Science professionals:

Tool / Software	Category	In-Demand
Oracle Java	Object or component oriented development software	✓
Linux	Operating system software	✓
Microsoft Excel	Spreadsheet software	✓
Microsoft Office software	Office suite software	✓
Python	Object or component oriented development software	✓
Microsoft Access	Data base user interface and query software	✓
C++	Object or component oriented development software	✓
C#	Object or component oriented development software	✓
UNIX	Operating system software	✓
C	Development environment software	✓
Microsoft PowerPoint	Presentation software	✓
Structured query language SQL	Data base user interface and query software	✓

^{Source: ONET Online technology skills, weighted across related occupations.*}

Sample Job Titles

Real job postings for Computer Science graduates include:

• Cloud Engineer
• Systems Engineer
• Engineer
• Web Programmer
• Web Architect
• Webmaster Analyst
• Website Manager
• Webmaster
• Websphere Administrator
• Security Analyst
• Computer Instructor
• Computer Science Instructor
• Computer Information Systems Instructor (CIS Instructor)
• Information Security Systems Instructor
• Adjunct Instructor

Education Typically Required

Across the occupations open to Computer Science graduates, the typical level of education actually held by current workers is distributed as:

Education Level	Share of Workers
Bachelor’s degree	48.2%
Master’s degree	13.3%
Associate’s degree (or other 2-year)	10.9%
Postsecondary certificate	7.7%
Doctoral degree	7.7%
Post-baccalaureate certificate	4.4%
Some college courses	3.9%
High school diploma or equivalent	2.2%
Less than a high school diploma	0.9%
Post-master’s certificate	0.8%

^{Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*}

Who Is Earning a Degree in Computer Science?

Gender Distribution

This field skews predominantly male, with men earning 75.5% of Computer Science degrees.

Gender	Graduates	Share
Women	19,590	24.5%
Men	60,267	75.5%

Racial-Ethnic Diversity

At the national level, the racial-ethnic distribution of Computer Science graduates is as follows:

Race / Ethnicity	Graduates	Share
White	22,558	28.2%
Asian	15,167	19.0%
Hispanic or Latino	7,346	9.2%
Black or African American	3,302	4.1%
American Indian / Alaska Native	107	0.1%
Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander	80	0.1%
Two or More Races	2,567	3.2%
Race Unknown	2,685	3.4%
International Students	26,045	32.6%

^{See minority definition below.}

How Much Do Computer Science Graduates Earn?

Federal data tracks median earnings of Computer Science graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb steadily as graduates gain experience and move into mid-career roles.

Years Out	Median Earnings
1 year	$81,554
4 years	$101,949
5 years	$117,894

By year 5 out, median earnings rise to $117,894 — roughly 45% above the 1-year mark.

^{Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.}

Online Computer Science Programs

Fully online options is reported by IPEDS for Computer Science. The table below shows how many graduates earned at least some of their coursework online (Distance-Ed Available) versus completing the entire program online (Distance-Ed Only).

Award Level	Distance-Ed Available	Distance-Ed Only
Associate’s	43	29
Bachelor’s	48	48
Master’s	42	44
Doctoral (Research)	5	5

^{Distance-Ed Only = degrees completed entirely online; Distance-Ed Available = degrees including at least some online coursework. Source: IPEDS Completions by Distance Education status.}

Is a Degree in Computer Science Worth It?

On the earnings side, the federal earnings tracker, Computer Science graduates earn a median of $101,949 four years after completion — roughly 168% above the national median for workers with only a high school diploma (~$38,000).

^{ROI estimate compares the program’s 4-yr median earnings against the 2023 BLS CPS median earnings for high-school-only workers. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard + BLS Current Population Survey.}

Related Programs

You may also be interested in these closely related fields of study:

Program	Annual Degrees Awarded
Computer Information Sciences	332,216
Computer and Information Sciences, General	118,381
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management	57,935
Information Science/Studies	22,425
Computer Software and Media Applications	15,581
Computer Programming	15,336
Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications	15,034
Computer Systems Analysis	3,034
Data Processing	2,131
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services, Other	2,066
Data Entry/Microcomputer Applications	436
COMPUTER AND INFORMATION SCIENCES AND SUPPORT SERVICES	—

References

The racial-ethnic minorities count is calculated by taking the total number of students and subtracting white students and international students. This number is then divided by the total number of students to obtain the racial-ethnic minorities percentage.

• College Factual
• National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)
• O*NET Online
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
• U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard

More about our data sources and methodologies.