Is a Computer Science Degree Worth It?

If you want to work in a technical field, earning a computer science (CS) degree can prepare you for many high-paying, in-demand careers. At the same time, pursuing any degree has several associated costs that are important to consider.

Explore factors that may make a computer science degree more or less “worth it” to you depending on your goals, where you are in your career, and the resources you currently have available to you.

Computer science degree return on investment

Computer science degrees tend to be highly valued among employers. Payscale's 2024 College ROI Report reveals that majoring in computer science can provide a better 20-year return on investment than other degrees included in the report, largely due to the robust earning potential graduates enjoy [1]. Furthermore, a 2024 Bankrate study reveals that those majoring in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) subjects like computer science enjoy an average unemployment rate of 1.9 percent [2]. 

Take a closer look at what a CS degree can mean for your career path, salary, and skills development.

Is a computer science major hard?

A computer science degree is considered difficult due to the level of discipline and amount of time it takes to learn. Courses often require excellent attention to detail, mathematical skills, and problem-solving. However, with proper motivation and time management skills, you can put in the work to succeed in your computer science education. 

What can you do with a computer science degree?

One reason computer science degrees tend to be so valuable is their versatility across in-demand fields. These degree programs can lay the foundation for careers in data science, artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, cloud computing, robotics, and even video game design.

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), common occupations for people with a CS degree are [3]:

• Software developer

• Computer and information systems manager

• Management analyst

• Computer systems analyst

• Computer user support specialist

• Information security analyst

• Computer programmer

In addition to preparing to launch your career in various fields, you’ll be well-equipped to change your career path across these fields as you hone your interests and gain work experience. For example, you may start out as a computer programmer and later decide you want to move into software development. Since you already have a CS degree, you’ll be a bit more prepared to make that change than you would have if you had only a programming background.

Computer science salary

Computer science degrees lead to profitable careers, as the BLS lists the median salary for computer information and research scientists as $145,080 [3]. Similarly, Glassdoor lists the base annual pay of computer scientists as $131,091 as of November 2024 [4]. 

In addition to a computer science salary guide, it’s worthwhile to consider demand. The National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) notes that computer science majors are the second most in-demand graduates among employers (behind finance), with two-thirds of employers surveyed expecting to hire CS graduates [5].

Computer science skills development

As you work toward your degree, you can expect to build several in-demand technical and workplace skills through your computer science courses. 

Some technical skills you can expect to learn are:

• Mathematics

• Programming languages

• Software development

• Quality control analysis

• Project management

• Data analysis

• Systems analysis

Some workplace skills many programs incorporate are:

• Attention to detail

• Active listening

• Communication

• Time management

• Problem-solving

• Organization

• Leadership

Computer science degree cost

When considering if computer science is a good major, you will need to consider the costs, which you can break down into two categories: financial and time. Traditionally, both costs were fairly steep—and in some cases, still are—but in recent years, some schools have found ways to offer more affordable and flexible options for students pursuing a degree. Explore these factors below.

Computer science degree tuition

The cost of your degree will vary depending on where you decide to enroll. According to the College Board, for the 2024-2025 school year, the average tuition and fees for a full-time undergraduate learner at a public in-state school were $11,610 per year, and at a private nonprofit school was $43,350 [6].

As you pursue your degree, you may find additional costs beyond tuition and fees, such as books and materials, housing, and transportation expenses. However, you may find lower tuition costs and avoid some additional spending by pursuing an online bachelor’s degree.

Read more: What to Do if You Can't Afford College (Even with Financial Aid)

How long is a computer science degree?

Most full-time learners earn their bachelor’s degree from four to five years. However, if you opt to attend as a part-time learner, the timeline can be longer, depending on how many courses you take each semester. Enrolling in an accelerated degree program can enable you to complete your degree quickly.

Computer science has a reputation for being a difficult major due to the rigorous technical coursework standard for these programs, so as you consider how much time you’ll be able to put toward learning, you may want to build in extra study time.

Read more: Is Computer Science Hard?

Other ways to learn computer science

Although computer science degrees tend to yield high returns, pursuing your degree now may not fit with your current lifestyle and responsibilities. Fortunately, you can discover many alternatives to college that can enable you to begin your career in the computer science field.

Consider whether a boot camp, certificate program, associate degree, or—depending on your education history—a master’s degree is a better fit for you now. With each credential type, you can find programs intended to help students qualify for entry-level computer science roles. You may even be able to earn college credit for these programs to apply to a bachelor’s degree program in the future.

Take a closer look at these popular options:

• Boot camps are intensive programs focusing on a specific skill you can learn in about three months of full-time study, such as a coding language. In some cases, you may be able to find an entry-level job using the skills you gain through a boot camp, while other boot camps suit people looking to upskill in their current field.

• Certificate programs are similar to boot camps in that they’re skills-based. Still, you may find that certificate programs have a broader curriculum, as they tend to focus on building several job-ready skills to start or advance a specific career path. Learn more about computer science and IT Professional Certificates on Coursera.

• Associate degrees take about half the time to complete than a bachelor’s degree and can help you qualify for some entry-level jobs. When you’re ready to advance your career, you may find that with a bachelor’s degree, you qualify for more roles, and with your associate degree, you’ll already be halfway there.

• Master’s degrees typically require that incoming students have a bachelor’s degree. Still, suppose you are considering a CS degree and already have a bachelor’s degree in another field. In that case, it may make more sense for you to pursue a master’s degree in computer science than a second bachelor’s degree. Some CS master’s programs are for learners without a computer science background and generally take less time to complete than a full bachelor’s degree program.

Earn your computer science degree on Coursera. 

Earning a computer science degree can give you a head start in your computer or programming career. You can keep learning with an online computer science degree on Coursera. Explore open courses from the University of London with their Introduction to Computer Science and Programming Specialization to see if an online degree is right for you.