What can you do with a Computer Science degree from Portland State University?

First, some facts. Of the Computer Science graduates from Portland 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 22 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Significantly above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 85%, Computer Science graduates from Portland State University have a much higher likelihood (+18%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 85%
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 18% 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 from Portland State University and our analysis:


Relevance score: 0%

We think this person has NOT gone into a career related to their degree.

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2014 from Portland State University with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science. No other secondary education since.

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Programmer
Apex Machine Works
Aug 2017 - May 2018
The role of a programmer does require technical skills but does not substantially relate to the specific skills or knowledge gained from a bachelor's degree in Computer Science, which may focus on broader programming principles and theories.

Manufacturing Technician
Elite Custom Solutions Inc
Apr 2019 - Dec 2019
The position of Manufacturing Technician does not require skills directly related to computer science, focusing instead on manufacturing processes and machinery operation.

Assembly Line Worker
Benchnmark Electronics
Jan 2020 - Feb 2020
As an assembly line worker, the job involves manual tasks that lack a direct connection to computer science skills or knowledge.

Direct Support Professional
Hiawatha Homes
Apr 2021 - Oct 2021
The role of a Direct Support Professional focuses on caregiving and does not utilize the technical skills or knowledge derived from a computer science degree.

Package Handler
FedEx
Jan 2022 - Jul 2022
The position of Package Handler primarily involves physical tasks and logistics, not relating to the skills or knowledge associated with computer science.

Lumber Associate
The Home Depot
Jul 2022 - Apr 2023
Working as a Lumber Associate involves retail and potentially manual work, lacking relevance to a Computer Science degree.

Preschool Extended Daycare Assistant
Rochester Catholic Schools
Aug 2023 - Dec 2023
The position as a Preschool Extended Daycare Assistant focuses on childcare and educational support, which does not require computer science skills or knowledge.

ABOUT

Experience in maintaining computer networks and developing software and applications; excellent ability to restore and maintain applications in Linux OS.Recently pursuing a change of career to be an electrician. Passed the IBEW test on June 29th and hoping to get an interview for an apprenticeship. Also looking into Cyber Security. Covid 19 has reduced significantly the demand for software engineers and computer scientists in general.

What jobs can you get with a Computer Science degree from Portland State University?

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


When looking at the career paths of graduates from Portland State University with a degree in Computer Science, it's clear that many of them find themselves in software development roles. Jobs such as Software Engineer, Junior Developer, and Software Developer are pretty common, reflecting a strong connection to the skills and knowledge these individuals acquired during their studies. Many of these positions entail tasks that directly involve programming and software design, which are at the heart of what a Computer Science degree aims to teach. That said, while a lot of graduates have stayed within the tech sphere, others have ventured into positions that aren’t as relevant, ranging from manufacturing roles to support positions that might not fully utilize their technical training.

In terms of relevance, most graduates seem to have found roles that align well with their Computer Science education, especially in software engineering and development. However, there are notable exceptions. Some graduates took jobs that didn’t utilize their programming skills at all, like manufacturing or caregiving positions, suggesting that not everyone stays in a tech-specific role. Overall, though, the data points toward a trend where a significant number of these alumni are working in jobs that leverage their Computer Science skills effectively, helping them build solid careers in the tech industry.

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 Portland State University):

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

When looking at the career trajectories of graduates from Portland State University with a degree in Computer Science, it seems like a fair number of them land solid jobs in tech right after they graduate. Many starting roles include positions like software engineer, developer, or intern, which give them a foot in the door at various companies. For example, it’s common to see new grads taking up roles as junior software engineers or entering the field through internships before moving up to more senior positions within just a few years. Many graduates seem to find their niche in roles like DevOps, QA, and software engineering, showcasing a strong correlation between their degree and their initial job choices.

Fast forward five to ten years, and that trend continues. Lots of alumni have been promoted to senior or even lead positions, showing they’re not just marking time but genuinely building their careers. For instance, some have risen to the rank of Senior Software Engineer or Lead Software Engineer, while others have transitioned into roles like Staff DevOps Engineer. Of course, there are a few who took a different route or switched fields entirely, but they seem to be the exception rather than the rule. Overall, most grads from Portland State appear to do well in tech, finding rewarding careers that are very much in line with their Computer Science degrees.

How hard is a Computer Science degree from Portland State University?

Getting a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science at Portland State University, like any CS program, can be pretty challenging but totally manageable if you put in the effort. Expect a mix of math, programming, and theory, and you’ll likely find some classes tougher than others—especially those that dive deep into algorithms or data structures. But if you enjoy problem-solving and coding, you might find some of it exciting rather than overwhelming. The vibe is supportive, with plenty of resources, like tutoring and group work, so you’re not alone in it. Overall, while it can be a bit tougher than some other majors, if you stay on top of your studies and reach out for help when you need it, you can definitely thrive!

How long does it take?

Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 3 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Computer Science.

Do Computer Science graduates from Portland State University tend to make good money?

Overall, it looks like the Computer Science grads from Portland State University have managed to find their way into pretty solid job opportunities, especially those who started their careers strong in tech roles. The first grad from 2013, for instance, climbed the ladder pretty quickly to lead roles at reputable companies, which usually pays well. In contrast, the grad from 2014 who ended up in various non-tech jobs might not be seeing the same level of financial success, but it shows that not everyone sticks strictly to their field, which could impact earnings. Those who leaned into software engineering and dev roles seem to be doing fine and likely making decent money, while others who diversified their paths might still be figuring things out financially. So, it's kind of a mixed bag, but in tech, there's definitely a potential for good earning if you stick with it!

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 is across all Computer Science graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to Portland State University). 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