A computer science degree teaches you how computers process information as well as the math and logic behind every app, platform and algorithm you use. Coursework typically covers programming languages, data structures, algorithms, computer architecture and, increasingly, artificial intelligence.
Is computer science a good major? For students who want technical depth and career flexibility, yes. Unlike narrower IT or coding-bootcamp tracks, a computer science degree builds the theoretical foundation that lets you move between highly technical roles, from software engineering to cybersecurity, as the field shifts, rather than locking you into one tool or platform that could be outdated in five years.
What careers can you get with a computer science degree?
Computer science graduates aren't limited to one job title. Real salary data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows the range, along with growth projections from 2024–2034:
Software developer
- $131,450 median annual wage
- 15% projected growth
Computer and information research scientist:
- $140,910 median annual wage
- 20% projected growth
Information security analyst:
- $124,910 median annual wage
- 29% projected growth
Data scientist:
- $112,590 median annual wage
- 34% projected growth
Computer and information systems manager:
- $171,200 median annual wage
- 15% projected growth
Each of these roles builds on the same core computer science coursework. The skillset this degree teaches you is highly versatile to many industries, extending well beyond the tech industry.
How is AI affecting computer science careers?
This is the tension in tech hiring right now. AI is automating some routine coding tasks, which has led to a lot of speculation around entry-level hiring seeing decreases in this field.
But wholesale displacement isn’t the full picture and the BLS is still projecting growth in these roles despite the buzz around a shrinking market. There’s instead been a reprioritization toward the skills that AI can’t do: judgement, interpersonal communication and creativity to name a few. ASU’s online programs incorporate these human skills to help you stay competitive in the job market. At the end of the day companies are realizing that humans are their most necessary workers.
A CompTIA survey of more than 1,100 U.S. businesses found that nearly four in five companies that tried substituting human workers with AI backtracked, citing AI underperformance, scalability limits, cost and integration barriers. Of hiring managers who eliminated a role due to AI, 32% later rehired for the same or similar position.
Meanwhile, McKinsey projects AI could unlock roughly $2.9 trillion in annual U.S. economic value by 2030, framed around productivity gains rather than job elimination. BLS projections already assume AI adoption: demand for computer and information research scientists, data scientists and software developers is still set to rise as companies need people who can build and manage AI systems, not just use them.
The shift is toward greater technical skill, not away from it. That's the direction ASU's online Bachelor of Science in computer science is built for with its project-based learning. The program is ABET-accredited and includes coursework in AI and machine learning alongside the decision-making skills employers say AI can't replicate.
Should you get a master's in computer science?
A master's degree in computer science tends to open roles with higher ceilings. Computer and information research scientists earn a median $140,910 with 20% projected growth. Computer and information systems managers earn a median of $171,200 with 15% projected growth, often a path for computer science graduates with a few years of experience. Both paths typically require more than a BS in CS alone.
ASU offers an online Master of Computer Science and an online Master of Computer Science in big data systems, both with coursework in AI and machine learning aligned to where the field is heading. A master's degree makes the most sense if you're aiming for research, technical leadership or a specialization that your bachelor's program didn't cover in depth.
So, is a computer science degree worth it?
Yes, with a caveat: the value comes from the depth of what you learn, not just the credential. The salary and growth numbers back it up across nearly every computer science-adjacent career and AI is reshaping entry-level work without erasing the field's long-term outlook.
You'll learn from the same faculty, following the same curriculum as ASU's on-campus computer science students. Your diploma will read Arizona State University, not "online." ASU ranks No. 2 in employability among public universities, meaning your degree will carry significant weight wherever your career leads you. If you're weighing your options, start with ASU's online Bachelor of Science in computer science or the Master of Computer Science to see how the curriculum lines up with where the field is heading.