- 1.Average CS degree ROI is 314% over 20 years, but varies significantly by program cost and location
- 2.Top ROI programs combine low tuition with strong outcomes: Georgia Tech's $7K OMSCS yields 850%+ returns
- 3.Location matters: California developers earn 40% more but face 50% higher costs—net ROI often lower than Texas
- 4.Break-even typically occurs in 3-5 years; full ROI realized by year 10-15 of career
314%
Average CS Degree ROI
$75,000
Median Starting Salary
$45,000
Avg. Program Cost
3-5 years
Break-Even Period
How to Use This Calculator
This ROI calculator uses real data from IPEDS and BLS OEWS to estimate your return on investment. Enter your specific details for a personalized analysis.
- Select your program type: Bachelor's, Master's, or online degree affects both cost and salary outcomes
- Enter program cost: Total tuition and fees (use our financial aid guide for accurate cost calculations)
- Choose your target career: Different roles have different salary trajectories
- Select your location: Salaries and cost of living vary significantly by region
- Set your timeline: 10, 15, or 20-year projection for full ROI picture
The calculator adjusts for opportunity costs (earnings foregone during school), regional cost of living differences, and career progression patterns specific to computer science roles.
CS Degree ROI Calculator
[INTERACTIVE_TOOL: roi-calculator]
This calculator is powered by IPEDS 2023 tuition data and BLS May 2024 salary statistics. Results are estimates based on median outcomes.
Understanding Your Results
Your ROI calculation considers three main factors: total investment (tuition + opportunity cost), salary premium (CS earnings vs. alternative), and time horizon (years to realize returns).
- ROI Percentage: Your total returns as a percentage of investment. 300% means you earn 3x what you invested.
- Break-Even Point: When cumulative earnings offset total costs. Typically 3-5 years for CS degrees.
- Net Lifetime Value: Total additional earnings over your career minus all costs. This is your real dollar gain.
- Annual Return: Comparable to investment returns—helps compare to other financial decisions.
Remember that these calculations use median outcomes. Your actual results depend on personal performance, program quality, market conditions, and career choices. For detailed salary breakdowns by specialization, see our comprehensive CS salary guide.
Source: BLS 2024
Key Factors Affecting Your ROI
Your actual ROI depends on several interconnected factors. Understanding these helps you make strategic decisions about program selection and career planning.
- Program Cost: The biggest variable. Georgia Tech's $7K OMSCS vs. private school $200K creates vastly different ROI profiles.
- Starting Salary: CS grads start at $75K median, but top programs place graduates at $120K+. Location and specialization matter enormously.
- Salary Growth: CS salaries grow ~6% annually early career, slowing to 2-3% mid-career. Specializations like ML/AI see faster growth.
- Location: Bay Area salaries are 40% higher but cost of living erases much of the advantage. Texas and North Carolina offer better net value.
- Opportunity Cost: 4 years without income during a bachelor's vs. part-time online master's while working creates different calculations.
Consider exploring our guides on online vs on-campus degrees and part-time vs full-time programs to understand how different formats affect your ROI calculation.
| Top 20 Public (In-State) | $45,000 | $80,000 | 425% | 3 years |
| Top 20 Public (Out-of-State) | $120,000 | $80,000 | 280% | 5 years |
| Private University | $200,000 | $90,000 | 185% | 7 years |
| Online Master's (Working) | $15,000 | $95,000 | 850% | 1 year |
| Bootcamp + Self-Taught | $15,000 | $65,000 | 650% | 1 year |
Which Should You Choose?
- You have access to a strong state school (UC Berkeley, Georgia Tech, UT Austin)
- Cost is a major factor and you can secure in-state rates
- You want the traditional campus experience
- You're 18-22 and can commit to 4 years full-time
- You're already working and can't leave your job
- Maximizing ROI is your primary goal
- You're self-disciplined and can manage part-time study
- Programs like Georgia Tech OMSCS or UIUC MCS are accessible to you
- You receive significant financial aid (50%+ off sticker)
- Specific research opportunities or professors align with your goals
- Brand name matters significantly for your target employers
- Cost is not a primary concern
How We Calculate ROI
This calculator uses a comprehensive methodology that accounts for both direct costs and opportunity costs, comparing CS degree outcomes to the counterfactual of not attending.
- Salary Data: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024 release. We use median salaries by occupation (SOC codes) and location.
- Tuition Data: IPEDS 2023 institutional data including tuition, fees, and reported net costs after aid.
- Salary Growth: Historical BLS data suggests 6% annual growth early career, declining to 2% by mid-career. We use conservative 4% average.
- Opportunity Cost: For full-time programs, we include 4 years of foregone earnings at the average non-degree salary ($35K/year).
- Discount Rate: Future earnings are discounted at 3% annually to calculate present value.
We cross-reference our calculations with PayScale and Glassdoor data to ensure accuracy. For students considering different funding strategies, see our guides on employer tuition reimbursement and student loan strategies.
Source: Methodology Note
ROI Calculator FAQ
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Taylor Rupe
Full-Stack Developer (B.S. Computer Science, B.A. Psychology)
Taylor combines formal training in computer science with a background in human behavior to evaluate complex search, AI, and data-driven topics. His technical review ensures each article reflects current best practices in semantic search, AI systems, and web technology.