Top 6 Reasons to Earn A Computer Science Degree
Do you like money? Do you thrive on intellectual challenge? Are you fascinated by technology? A computer science degree can lead you to a fulfilling IT career on all three counts. Read on for the top benefits of earning a computer science degree...
This highly technical and demanding field won't appeal to everyone. But those with a genuine interest in computers and the possibilities they present for business, science, communication, and the world at large just might find that a computer science degree is right up their alley.
Here are the top six reasons to earn a computer science degree:
Computer Science Graduates Earn Higher Salaries
It's no secret that computing careers provide a nice living. New graduates with bachelor's degrees in computer science were offered an average starting salary of $75,900, according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) 2022 Salary Survey, placing CS degree holders just ahead of engineering majors who clocked in at $73,922.
Computer Science Majors Have More Job Prospects
Computer science majors are in high demand, according to the NACE. The organization's Student Survey found that more than 56 percent of computer science majors who applied for jobs had received offers -- making it the major with the highest application-offer rate.
Computer Science Grads Join a Fast Growing Industry
Computer-related employment has slowed since the boom of the 1990s, and job growth has been tempered to a degree by outsourcing. But the industry still appears to be in excellent shape. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the computer systems design and related services industry is one of the 10 fastest growing in the nation. And computer specialists are likely to see the best job prospects.
The software publishing industry is also poised for growth (software development is a main focus of computer science degrees), with employment expected to increase by 22 percent between 2020 and 2030 (roughly three times the 8% average for all occupations). Computer science-related professions accounted for 52 percent of the jobs in the industry.
Computer Science Degree Holders Work in a Wide Range of Industries
The best computer science degree programs teach strong theoretical and analytical skills that can be applied to many different professional pursuits, from engineering to healthcare to finance.
Computer Science Grads can Help Make the World a Better Place
Not all computer whizzes use their powers for good (hackers create plenty of havoc, stealing financial information, disrupting business, etc.) But they also have enormous potential to change the world for the better. People with backgrounds in computer science have made and continue to make vital contributions in engineering, the arts & science, and medicine -- including AIDS research and the human genome project, just to name a few examples.
Computer Science Graduates are on the Cutting-Edge of IT
Computers are so ubiquitous these days that it's easy to forget how quickly they've changed our lives. Twenty years ago, e-mail was a relatively new phenomenon, the Internet was just gaining steam, and no one imagined they'd be carrying smartphones loaded up with nifty apps (back then, making a call from the street usually meant finding a phone booth). What might the next 20 years bring? If you have a degree in computer science, you might be the first to know.
Because our society is becoming increasingly dependent on technology for every aspect of our lives, from business to social interaction and beyond, computer scientists are sought after in pretty much every industry and in a wide range of capacities. A computer science degree from an accredited college can lead you to a fulfilling, well-paying career, which is something that is a rarity in the current state of the economy.
Popular IT Career Resources
- Discover the best computer science schools in the U.S..
- Research and compare computing degrees and certificates.
- Explore detailed profiles of the hottest IT career paths.
- Research and compare the most in-demand IT certifications.
- Blog: Best Computer Jobs for the Future.
- Blog: Top Information Technology Skills In Demand.
Sources: CareerBuilder.com, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE)
