Computer science is still an excellent choice in the age of AI: jobs in software development, cybersecurity, and data science are projected to grow three to ten times faster than the average for all occupations, and starting salaries for computer science graduates are still rising. Learn how AI is changing the work of software professionals, and how Ball State prepares you for it through new AI-focused courses, real client projects, and paid experience on campus.
Read more: Why Study Computer Science in the Age of AI?
Our graduates make a difference in the world. At the forefront of the digital age, we put people first, using today’s vast computing power to solve the complex problems of our communities.
The influence of computers and computing algorithms is found in every aspect of modern life, including social media, business decision-making, web applications, self-driving vehicles, AI tools, encrypted secure communication, and data analytics. The Ball State Computer Science major is founded on the most recent curricular guidelines of the Association for Computing Machinery and will position you to launch a successful career in today’s computing world. You will be ready for an outstanding career in roles including software developer, cybersecurity software engineer, quality assurance analyst, AI engineer, full-stack developer, user experience engineer, information security analyst, mobile app developer, project manager, software engineer, business systems analyst, database developer, data scientist, machine learning engineer, and more.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the jobs our graduates are prepared for will grow at 3x to 10x the average ten-year growth rate for all occupations from 2025 to 2035.
Additionally, the Winter 2026 Salary Survey of the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) projects that 2026 computer science graduates will earn a starting salary of $81,535, up nearly 7% from last year. NACE also ranks computer science the third-most in-demand bachelor’s degree, behind only finance and mechanical engineering.