Is a Computer Science Degree Worth It?

The value of any degree will vary based on your specific career goals and personal circumstances. That being said, there are some general advantages to a computer science education that can make a degree in this field worth pursuing.

First, with high median annual salaries for most computer and information technology jobs, professionals in this field are typically well compensated and can expect a high return on investment for their education. Indeed, information security analysts, which is one of the fastest growing positions in this industry, earn median wages of $102,600 — more than double the national average for all occupations. Beyond offering favorable job prospects, however, a degree in computer science can train you to enter an exciting, fast-paced field which is driving breakthroughs in widely important areas such as artificial intelligence, health informatics, and big data analysis.

A computer science degree can also be considered good if it suits your personality and interests. For instance, if you have a passion for technology and enjoy solving complex, technical problems, studying computer science can prove to be quite engaging. Additionally, given that it requires keeping up with cutting-edge developments — especially after graduating — this discipline is ideally suited to students who find constant learning invigorating.

The increasingly fast pace of data sharing and online interaction has made computer engineering and information technology integral to operations in nearly every sector of the economy. From ordering goods and services online to facilitating essential tasks like filing taxes and renewing driver's licenses, computer science plays a role in ensuring many different transactions can be carried out smoothly. Graduates with associate, bachelor's, or master's degrees can therefore find computer science jobs in government, healthcare, the private sector, and the nonprofit world. These can include highly technical positions, such as those that involve coding, building networks, and developing algorithms, as well as roles that come with management responsibilities.

Certain aspects of computer science can prove demanding for some students, depending on their educational background and personality traits. If you're concerned about the difficulty of earning a computer science degree, it may be helpful to first consider the following: 

Like most disciplines, learning computer science becomes easier with time. However, it can be difficult to grasp the simultaneously technical and experimental nature of this discipline early on, especially if you have a limited background in computing. That being said, computer science programs at the undergraduate level are designed to introduce students to this field and foster the skills necessary to become trained professionals. With an inquisitive mindset and some high school-level coursework in key math and science subjects, you can be well-prepared to pursue a computer science degree.

You may primarily be interested in a computer science degree because it can lead to a potentially lucrative career in a growing field. However, while it is essential to consider the return on investment for any type of education, it's also important to contemplate whether studying a particular subject aligns with your interests, aspirations, and personality traits.

For instance, if you're partial to subjects that explore society and the human condition — such as history, sociology, or philosophy — then it's likely that a more technical field like computer science may not pique your curiosity. On the other hand, you may benefit from studying this discipline if: