What can you do with a Computer Science degree?

First, some facts. Of the Computer Science graduates we've analyzed , here's how many have used (or NOT used) their degree in their career:


These are estimates based on AI analysis of 8683 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Significantly above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 80%, Computer Science graduates have a much higher likelihood (+13%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 80%
Average relevance score across all fields: 67%

And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.

× Chart

Also, after graduating, only 29% of these graduates have pursued further education other than another Bachelor's degree (such as a Masters degree or other), compared to the average across all profiles of 35%. This suggests a Bachelors degree is enough for most Computer Science graduates, and it's normal to look for work straight after graduation.

See the details:

View a random Computer Science graduate and our analysis:


Relevance score: 50%

We think this person has gone into a career only somewhat relevant to their degree.

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2020 from University of Kentucky with a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science. Also pursued further education since (see below).

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Laboratory Assistant
University of Kentucky
Sep 2021 - Dec 2022
The role of Laboratory Assistant at the University of Kentucky may involve some transferable skills from a Computer Science degree, particularly in technical problem-solving or data analysis, but it is not directly focused on core computer science qualifications.

FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATING
Master's degree
University of Kentucky
2020 - 2022
ABOUT

For better or worse, computers are part of our daily lives, and learning how to make the most of their use is something I am eager to be a part of. From an early age, I have been fascinated by learning how programs operate. Starting a new PC game was more than simply completing the developers objectives. I was driven to explore and experiment with ways to push the boundaries of a game beyond those anticipated by developers. My goal was to see how far the code would allow me to probe outside the parameters of the games design. Not long after, I began to make contributions to developers by providing feedback when I found mistakes or areas where games might be improved.The aspect of software programming that inspires me the most is that coding has become a puzzle of my own making that I am compelled to solve. Whether those challenges have been presented as part of a programming course assignment or a coding error from a piece of equipment at the engineering lab, the challenge has been to put my hard skills to the test and accomplish the desired task. The more complex the challenge, the more inspired I become to find a solution that not only meets the requirements but often teaches me something new.

What jobs can you get with a Computer Science degree?

The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:


After analyzing the job profiles of computer science graduates from various universities, it's clear that many individuals have pursued careers that are either directly or indirectly related to their field of study. The most common positions held by these graduates include Software Engineers, Developers (Full Stack, Software, and Web), Data Analysts, and positions in Software Quality Assurance. Looking closely, we observe that a significant number of these jobs, especially those in software engineering and development, make use of the programming, problem-solving, and technical skills honed during their degrees. For example, roles like Software Engineer at major companies such as Amazon, Microsoft, and Google directly align with core competencies of computer science—emphasizing both software development and engineering practices essential for these positions.

However, not all positions are equally relevant. Many graduates took on roles that did not fully utilize their computer science knowledge. Some individuals transitioned into business-oriented positions, such as Consultants and Project Managers, where they leveraged analytical skills without deep technical applications. Others ended up in non-technical careers, such as Customer Service Representatives and Marketing roles, which do not apply the core skills learned in computer science programs. For instance, the analysis revealed that various recruiters and sales roles, while possibly benefiting from general problem-solving skills, did not require the rigorous technical knowledge typical of a computer science curriculum. This observation raises an important point about the versatility of a computer science degree, demonstrating how graduates can adapt their skills in various industries, but also highlighting the reality that many may not work directly in tech-focused jobs where their expertise could be maximally utilized.

In summary, the majority of jobs held by computer science graduates tend to align more closely with their degree, particularly in software development and engineering roles. Yet, there remains a notable portion of graduates who find themselves in positions that either leverage minimal technical skills or drift away from the computer science domain entirely. This duality underscores both the breadth of opportunities available to computer science graduates and the importance of ensuring that educational pathways keep pace with industry demands for technical expertise and innovation.

Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Computer Science graduates:

What kind of career trajectories do Computer Science graduates have? What do they do 1, 5 or 10 years out?

Based on the wide array of profiles of Computer Science graduates from various universities, it's evident that there are distinct trends regarding their career trajectories. Many of these alumni have found positions in the tech industry that are closely aligned with their studies, clearly demonstrating the value of a computer science degree in securing relevant employment. However, there are also notable instances where graduates have veered away from tech or faced difficulties in launching their careers. This mixed bag provides a nuanced view of what one might expect when pursuing a degree in computer science.

When we delve into the initial jobs held by recent graduates, a strong pattern emerges: many start off their careers in roles such as software engineers, developers, or in technical support. For instance, graduates from schools like the University of Michigan and Purdue University often snag positions as software engineers shortly after graduation, signaling a robust entry into the industry. It's common for graduates to secure internships during their studies, which can lead directly to job offers, as seen with many from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and Northeastern University. However, some graduates have found themselves taking roles that are less related to computer science. For example, a person from Northeastern Illinois University has taken a customer service management position, which might indicate a detour from their tech-related ambitions.

As we look further into the professional journeys of those with 5 to 10 years of experience, the picture arguably becomes more promising. A large number of graduates make significant advancements, transitioning from entry-level positions to more senior roles such as senior software engineers, technical leads, or data scientists. This upward mobility is often a result of accumulated experience, specialized skills, and networking within the industry. Notably, graduates from top institutions like Stanford, MIT, and UC Berkeley find themselves in high-demand roles at major tech companies, often leading teams and working on cutting-edge projects. On the flip side, some graduates still find themselves in less fulfilling roles related to tech or having switched careers entirely, such as those who venture into management or customer service sectors.

In summary, while many computer science graduates seem to be carving out successful and relevant careers right out of college, there are also those who face challenges in aligning their first jobs with their degree. Over a span of 5 to 10 years, the focus shifts mostly towards advancement in fields related to their studies. Success stories abound, particularly among those from prestigious universities, but it's important to recognize that the journey may not be straightforward for all. A degree in computer science undoubtedly opens doors, but how far one goes often depends on individual choices, opportunities, and sometimes, a bit of luck.

How hard is a Computer Science degree?

A Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science can be pretty challenging, but it really depends on your interests and strengths. If you enjoy problem-solving and have a knack for logical thinking, you might find it engaging rather than super hard. There are definitely some tough classes, like algorithms and data structures, but if you’re willing to put in the effort, you’ll likely find a rewarding experience. It’s generally considered a bit more demanding than some other degrees due to the technical nature of the work and the need for a solid grasp of math, but it can be a fun ride if you’re into tech stuff!

How long does it take?

Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Computer Science.

Do Computer Science graduates tend to make good money?

When you look at the job history of these computer science graduates, it really seems like a lot of them have landed good jobs, especially in tech firms, which is great news! Many of them are already working as software engineers, data scientists, or in other significant tech roles—these positions usually come with decent salaries, especially at established companies like Amazon, Microsoft, or Google. For instance, grads from top-tier schools like MIT and Stanford are notoriously snatched up by big-name companies quickly, which often means they’re starting with pretty high salaries too. Of course, some of the less recognized schools or those in non-tech roles might have more modest earnings at the beginning.

That said, it’s clear that entering the tech field often leads to solid career paths and potential for salary growth. Many roles also allow for advancement into more senior positions or specialized areas that tend to pay quite well over time. Even those who start lower, such as in technical support or internships, have opportunities to transition into higher-paying technical roles as they gain experience. Overall, it looks like these computer science graduates are setting themselves up for pretty good financial futures if they continue to develop their skills and seize opportunities as they come!

What buzzwords do Computer Science graduates use to describe themselves?

Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Computer Science. This may or may not be useful:

What are the best colleges for Computer Science?

Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Computer Science (ordered by the average relevance score of their Computer Science graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates:

College Score Count
Stevens Institute of Technology 99 11
Eastern Michigan University 98 10
Colorado School of Mines 98 27
Michigan Technological University 98 12
Northern Arizona University 97 11
Northeastern University 97 21
UC Santa Barbara 96 10
University of Notre Dame 96 13
Carnegie Mellon University 96 14
University of Southern California 95 13
University of California San Diego 95 30
Eastern Washington University 95 13
Worcester Polytechnic Institute 95 24
Caltech 95 10
Northwestern University 94 14
Seattle University 94 12
Shanghai Jiao Tong University 94 10
Penn State University 93 30
University of Washington 93 61
Purdue University 93 50
University of California, Davis 93 21
University of California, Berkeley 93 41
The University of Georgia 93 10
University of Maryland 93 42
Cornell University 93 21
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign 92 25
City University of New York-College of Staten Island 92 10
Grinnell College 92 10
Arizona State University 91 42
University of Wisconsin-Madison 91 44
San Jose State University 91 23
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo 91 28
The University of Texas at Arlington 91 17
Virginia Tech 91 19
University of Utah 91 22
Drexel University 91 28
Wayne State University 91 11
Missouri University of Science and Technology 91 26
Brigham Young University 90 32
Colorado State University 90 32
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 90 23
Oklahoma State University 90 10
Stony Brook University 90 25
University of Massachusetts Lowell 90 20
Vanderbilt University 90 14
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 90 17
University of Michigan College of Engineering 90 16
Gandhi Institute of Technology & Management (GITAM) University, Visakhapatnam 90 26
Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Hyderabad 90 11
University of Michigan 89 39
University of Pittsburgh 89 22
University of Virginia 89 38
University of Iowa 89 15
Georgia Institute of Technology 89 84
University at Buffalo 89 20
Utah Valley University 89 17
Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering at Arizona State University 89 12
Manipal Institute of Technology 89 11
GITAM Deemed University 89 12
University of South Florida 88 24
James Madison University 88 16
The University of Texas at San Antonio 88 18
University of Delaware 88 12
Miami University 88 15
UC Irvine 88 52
University at Albany, SUNY 88 15
Brown University 88 11
The University of Texas at Austin 87 34
Michigan State University 87 22
Kent State University 87 11
Illinois State University 87 14
Clemson University 87 11
The University of Alabama 87 10
Washington State University 87 14
University of Maryland College Park 87 18
University of Illinois at Chicago 87 25
Rochester Institute of Technology 87 19
The University of Texas at El Paso 87 30
Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani 87 17
University of California, Los Angeles 86 26
University of Missouri-Columbia 86 14
University of Connecticut 86 11
University of Massachusetts Amherst 86 27
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi 86 12
University of Rochester 86 11
BV Raju Institute of Technology (BVRIT) 86 13
University of Florida 85 30
North Carolina State University 85 33
Grand Valley State University 85 11
Portland State University 85 22
University of Minnesota 85 38
Utah State University 85 16
University of Massachusetts, Amherst 85 10
New York Institute of Technology 85 10
University of Central Florida 84 43
The Ohio State University 84 18
Brigham Young University - Idaho 84 16
New York University 84 19
California State University, Northridge 84 12
Appalachian State University 84 18
Boston University 84 14
University of Oklahoma 84 11
The University of Texas at Dallas 84 75
Old Dominion University 84 10
Missouri State University 84 10
Rowan University 84 26
West Chester University of Pennsylvania 84 11
University of Maryland Baltimore County 84 20
Montana State University-Bozeman 84 12
Savitribai Phule Pune University 84 12
Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham 84 11
Sathyabama University 84 11
Texas A&M University 83 35
Indiana University Bloomington 83 19
Auburn University 83 12
Oregon State University 83 41
University of Arkansas 83 15
Kansas State University 83 17
California State University San Marcos 83 16
University of Wyoming 83 10
Illinois Institute of Technology 83 17
KL University 83 39
PES University 83 25
CVR College of Engineering, Hyderabad 83 10
Gitam University, Hyderabad 83 14
University of Colorado Boulder 82 33
Tennessee Technological University 82 12
Massachusetts Institute of Technology 82 17
Wentworth Institute of Technology 82 10
University of Illinois Springfield 82 10
Louisiana State University 81 12
San Diego State University 81 17
George Mason University 81 32
University of Nebraska-Lincoln 81 11
University of Nevada-Las Vegas 81 23
Mississippi State University 81 13
Bowling Green State University 81 15
Weber State University 81 15
Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University 81 82
University of Georgia - Franklin College of Arts and Sciences 81 18
Vellore Institute of Technology 81 35
Florida International University 80 32
Temple University 80 15
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities 80 28
University of California, Santa Cruz 80 48
University of Mumbai 80 17
Visvesvaraya Technological University 80 32
University of Arizona 79 18
Texas State University 79 25
Northern Illinois University 79 10
California State University, Fresno 79 10
North Dakota State University 79 10
University of Hawaii at Manoa 79 14
California State University, Monterey Bay 79 15
Lovely Professional University 79 18
University of California, Riverside 78 21
University of Kentucky 78 13
Boise State University 78 14
SRM University 78 34
JNTUH College of Engineering Hyderabad 78 64
Georgia State University 77 30
Ball State University 77 10
Western Washington University 77 22
Rutgers University 77 20
University of Vermont 77 14
Washington University in St. Louis 77 14
New Jersey Institute of Technology 77 23
Princeton University 77 10
Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Kakinada 77 23
Florida State University 76 18
Rutgers UniversityNew Brunswick 76 18
Anna University 76 18
University of North Texas 75 22
Rajiv Gandhi Prodyogiki Vishwavidyalaya 75 13
Texas Tech University 74 23
Kennesaw State University 74 20
California State University, Long Beach 74 14
Stanford University 74 13
Osmania University 74 28
University of Houston 73 31
California State University-Sacramento 73 37
University of California, San Diego 73 10
Sreenidhi Institute of Science and Technology 73 11
San Francisco State University 72 22
University of North Carolina at Charlotte 72 50
Oakland University 72 12
Columbia University in the City of New York 72 11
University of Washington Tacoma 72 14
East Carolina University 71 10
California State University, Fullerton 71 20
Queens College 71 19
University of California, Irvine 71 11
University of Maryland Global Campus 71 13
Andhra University 71 10
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona 70 31
Towson University 70 14
Sathyabama Institute of Science & Technology, Chennai 70 12
Western Governors University 68 28
Tufts University 68 11
Southern New Hampshire University 66 21
University of Nebraska at Omaha 66 10
University of Houston-Downtown 66 11
Florida Atlantic University 65 22
Troy University 65 10
University of Central Arkansas 63 10
University of Maryland University College 62 14
DeVry University 61 16
California State University-San Bernardino 60 11
University of Phoenix 57 14
Hunter College 47 11