Computer Science Careers

One of the fastest-growing career fields in the U.S., computer science puts you at the forefront of the exciting and rapidly evolving world of technology. You will be ready for rewarding roles and an outstanding career in areas including software developer, quality assurance analyst, front-end developer, back-end developer, 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.

Software Developer, a career area for a computer science major in any of our concentrations, is ranked as the #1 of the 100 Best Jobs in 2023 by the U.S. News World Report with a median salary of $120,000, an unemployment rate of 1.2%, and an estimated 26% growth between 2021 and 2031.

General Computer Science

What Can You Do with a Concentration in General Computer Science?

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. 

What Can You Do with a Degree in Cybersecurity & Secure Software Design?

Cybersecurity is one of the fastest-growing fields in tech. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects jobs for information security analysts will grow 21% from 2025 to 2035, about seven times the average for all occupations, with a median salary of $129,180. Software developers, who are increasingly expected to build security into their code, earn a median of $135,980. Graduates are prepared for roles such as information security analyst, application security engineer, security-focused software developer, digital forensics analyst, and more. 

What Can You Do with a Concentration in Artificial Intelligence & Data Analytics?

AI and data science roles are among the fastest-growing careers in the country. For example, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 35% job growth for data scientists from 2025 to 2035, far above the 3.5% average for all occupations, with a median salary of $120,230. Graduates of this concentration are prepared for roles such as data scientist, machine learning engineer, AI engineer, data engineer, and business intelligence analyst. 

Learn why computer science still matters in the age of AI →

 

What Can You Do with a Degree in Game Design and Development?

The games industry values "T-shaped skills," where a team shares common skills with each person focusing on one area of specialization. Our program positions our students for success by combining a foundation in programming skills with the knowledge of the fundamentals of game design, 3D animation, and digital audio. Game developers earn an average salary in the range of $75,000-$100,000, although actual salary depends on specialization, location, and studio size; additionally, many game developers enjoy freelance work. Students in this concentration can also pursue other fulfilling careers such as a mobile app developer, UX Designer, front-end engineer, software developer, and product manager.

What Can You Do with a Concentration in Web and Mobile App Development?

Full-stack engineers, listed at No. 2 on Glassdoor’s ranking of the 50 Best Jobs in America for 2022, earn a median salary of $101,794. Other related jobs include front-end designer, back-end developer, user experience (UX) and user interface (UI) design, and site-reliability engineer, all of which fall in the top 40 of Glassdoor's ranking.