# Is a Computer Science Degree Still Worth the Debt?
The cost-benefit calculation for a computer science degree has shifted. Tuition costs continue climbing to record levels while artificial intelligence threatens to disrupt the job market that traditionally justified those expensive programs.
Ron Lieber, the New York Times "Your Money" columnist, explores this tension in a conversation about one of the biggest financial decisions families face. The core question is straightforward but the answer is not: does the earning potential of a CS graduate offset borrowing tens of thousands of dollars?
The numbers matter here. Computer science graduates historically earn well above average salaries, often starting at 80,000 to 120,000 dollars annually. But those figures assume stable employment in the field. The rise of AI and machine learning creates real uncertainty. Some entry-level programming work may vanish or consolidate. At the same time, demand for specialized AI expertise remains strong.
Debt levels complicate the equation further. A computer science degree from a private university can cost 200,000 to 300,000 dollars total. Federal student loans cap monthly payments under income-driven repayment plans, but graduates still carry significant financial weight for a decade or longer. This delays other life decisions: buying a home, starting a family, or leaving an unfulfilling job.
The mindset shift Lieber identifies matters as much as the raw data. Parents and students must stop viewing college as a guaranteed path to prosperity. Instead, evaluate the specific program, the school's track record placing graduates, and realistic job prospects three to five years out, not just today.
For prospective CS students, the calculus depends on circumstances. Attending an in-state public university with scholarship support changes the math entirely compared to taking on 200,000 dollars in private loans. Stronger applicants may secure merit aid or scholarships that reduce out-of-pocket