Mathematics and Computer Science: degree ROI, salary & best colleges
Mathematics and Computer Science graduates earn a median $118,943 four years after finishing — $70,583/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline. At a typical $16,906/yr net price ($67,624 over four years), that pays back in about 1 years. Federal data pools 76 bachelor's programs graduating roughly 949 students a year. (Scorecard field-of-study, 2026 · our math.)
| # | College | State | Grad earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | IL | $155,503 |
| 2 | Santa Clara University | CA | $147,013 |
| 3 | University of California-San Diego | CA | $137,218 |
| 4 | University of Akron Main Campus | OH | $85,968 |
| 5 | University of Illinois Chicago | IL | $77,321 |
College Scorecard field-of-study (2026), program-level median earnings for this CIP · our ranking.
How we compute this. Earnings are the national median for graduates of this field measured 1 and 4 years after completion (Scorecard field-of-study, bachelor's). Premium = 4-year earnings − the $48,360 high-school baseline. Payback = a representative 4-year net cost (median college net price × 4) ÷ premium. Field medians blend every school — a specific program can pay far more or less. Full method on the methodology page; the field ranking is on ROI by major.