Computer science degrees command premium salaries, but skyrocketing tuition costs are forcing families to do harder math before committing to that path.
Ron Lieber, the New York Times "Your Money" columnist, explores whether a computer science degree justifies its price tag in an era of AI disruption and record-high college costs. The calculation has grown more complicated than it was a decade ago.
A computer science degree from a reputable four-year university typically costs $80,000 to $200,000 when accounting for tuition, fees, room, and board. Starting salaries for CS graduates often range from $70,000 to $100,000, sometimes higher at top tech firms. That sounds reasonable until you factor in debt repayment timelines and opportunity costs.
The real problem surfaces when students borrow heavily. A graduate with $100,000 in federal student loans at current interest rates (currently around 8.5 percent for new undergraduates) faces monthly payments exceeding $1,000 under standard repayment plans. That eats into the salary advantage quickly, especially if the grad moves to a lower cost-of-living area or switches industries.
The AI question adds uncertainty. Automation could reshape entry-level programming roles faster than expected, though demand for experienced engineers with specialized skills remains strong. Bootcamp graduates and self-taught programmers are also capturing jobs that might have gone to degree holders, shrinking the exclusivity premium.
Lieber's analysis suggests the calculus depends heavily on variables: school choice matters enormously (in-state public universities cost far less than private schools), scholarship availability changes everything, and family finances determine whether borrowing is even necessary.
The verdict is less "yes" or "no" and more "it depends." A computer science degree from an affordable in-state school, covered partially by scholarships or family funds