First, some facts. Of the Computer Science graduates from Ball State University 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 10 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 77%, Computer Science graduates from Ball State University have a higher likelihood (+10%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:
And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.
Also, after graduating, only 10% 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:
Relevance score: 50%We think this person has gone into a career only somewhat relevant to their degree.DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2012 from Ball State University with a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Computer Science. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONOwner/ Consultant[NAME REMOVED] Plevo Consulting Feb 2013 - Present Grill Warrior HuHot Mongolian Grill Mar 2013 - Present ABOUTNo information provided. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
Looking at the job trajectories of graduates from Ball State University with a degree in Computer Science, it’s clear that many have landed roles that are pretty closely tied to their studies. A lot of them work as software developers or engineers, which makes total sense since those positions demand the technical skills and programming knowledge that they learned in school. For instance, you have multiple Application Developers and Software Engineers who are directly applying their education in their day-to-day work, showing a strong connection between their degree and job functions.
However, not everyone has stuck to roles that scream “computer science.” There are quite a few who ended up in jobs that have little to do with programming or technical skills, like the Grill Warrior or even positions focused more on analysis rather than development. While some of these roles may touch on tech-related skills, they don't fully leverage the core computer science knowledge gained from their degree. Overall, it seems the most common and relevant paths for these graduates lie in software development, engineering, and more technical analysis roles, while others have veered off into industries that may not use much of their educational background at all.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Computer Science graduates (this is across all Computer Science graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to Ball State University):
Looking at the career trajectories of graduates from Ball State University's Computer Science program, it seems that most of them are finding their way into solid tech roles right after graduation. For instance, many of the early graduates took on roles like application developers or software engineers, which are pretty standard gigs in the tech world. By the five-year mark, several of them have not only moved up in their respective companies but have also transitioned into senior or lead positions, which is a great sign. This indicates that they are building their careers successfully and making a name for themselves in the industry. For example, one graduate went from an application developer to a lead role in just a few years at the same company, which is pretty impressive.
Now, on the flip side, not every graduate is sticking strictly to tech-related jobs. Some have drifted into unrelated fields; for instance, one individual worked as a grill warrior just after graduation and has kept at that for a while. That said, it seems that many of the recent graduates, especially those from 2020 onward, have started to find their footing in software engineering roles or related positions, which suggests that they might return to tech after dabbling in other areas. The overall picture is one of upward mobility, particularly in technology-focused careers, indicating that a degree from Ball State in Computer Science can indeed set you up for a fulfilling career in the tech industry if you stay committed to that path.
Getting a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science at Ball State University, or pretty much anywhere else, can definitely be challenging, but it really depends on your background and interests. If you’ve got a knack for math and problem-solving, you might find it more manageable, but expect a healthy mix of coding, algorithms, and some pretty dense coursework. It’s not exactly a walk in the park, and you’ll have to put in some serious effort, especially when the programming assignments pile up. Most students find it tougher than average, but with the right mindset and dedication, it’s totally doable! Just stay curious and don’t hesitate to ask for help when you need it—everyone’s in the same boat.
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Computer Science.
Looking at these Computer Science grads from Ball State University, it seems like they've all landed pretty decent gigs, especially those who graduated a little earlier. The 2015 grad moved up to a Lead Application Developer role, which usually pays well, and the 2016 grad has been a Software Engineer II since graduation, likely making good money too. The 2018 grad started out as a Game Educator but then snagged a Lead Technical Analyst position, and now works at CVS Health—definitely a solid career path. The 2020 grads had a rocky start with a mix of jobs, but some have landed Software Engineer roles, which tend to pay nicely for entry-level work. Overall, it looks like they're doing well for themselves, especially compared to some other fields where entry-level salaries can be a lot lower!
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 is across all Computer Science graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to Ball State University). This may or may not be useful:
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: