Computer and Information Sciences, General at Community College of Philadelphia

Philadelphia, PA · Public · Associate Degree

with a mid-sized student body of 11,312 in Philadelphia, PA.

Program Analysis

At $21,223 per year, Computer and Information Sciences, General graduates from Community College of Philadelphia earn below the $38,485 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

The 37.7x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. Trade programs often deliver strong ratios, and this one is a standout.

AI exposure is significant at 69% of job tasks, producing a 40% spread between best and worst-case decade earnings. The field isn't immune to disruption.

The median debt load of $10,209 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.

At #106 out of 109 programs, Community College of Philadelphia's financial outcomes for Computer and Information Sciences, General trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $21,223 to $49,863 over five years (135% increase) indicates that graduates in this trade see meaningful salary progression.

Computer and Information Sciences, General connects to 2 apprenticeship options. The earn-while-you-learn model can be a strong alternative or complement to a certificate program.

54 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
42
Low End
54
Score
57
High End
Earnings $21,223/yr (-45% vs median)
AI-Proof Exposed (31% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (338,800 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$372K
12.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
40.2x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
14 of 14
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Program Tuition (In-State)
$9,264
Out-of-state: $24,880
Median Debt at Graduation
$10,209
5.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$49,863
135% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Computer and Information Sciences, General graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Computer and information systems managers $171,200 +15.2% 47%
Computer and information research scientists $140,910 +19.7% 37%
Database architects $135,980 +8.7% 6%
Computer and information systems managers
$171,200
+15.2% growth 47% AI-proof
Computer and information research scientists
$140,910
+19.7% growth 37% AI-proof
Database architects
$135,980
+8.7% growth 6% AI-proof

View all 14 career paths with full salary data →

About Computer and Information Sciences, General Careers

Your career in tech often begins on a team, perhaps as a software developer using languages like Python to build new app features, or as an information security analyst monitoring networks for threats with tools like Splunk. Entry-level roles focus on specific tasks like fixing bugs or responding to security alerts under supervision. With a few years of experience, you’ll take on more complex challenges, designing systems and mentoring others. Many progress to senior specialist roles or into management, leading teams and setting strategy as a Computer and Information Systems Manager.

Read the full Computer and Information Sciences, General career guide →

Compare & Explore

Computer and Information Sciences, General Overview

Computer and Information Sciences, General at Other Schools

Other Majors at Community College of Philadelphia

How Does a Bachelor's Degree Compare?

Four-year programs take longer but may unlock different career trajectories. See the data.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Community College of Philadelphia's Computer and Information Sciences, General program score?
At 54/100, the score looks reasonable — but Computer and Information Sciences, General is a high-scoring trade overall. Compared to peers, this program's earnings and ROI fall below the median.
How vulnerable is Computer and Information Sciences, General to AI automation?
The 69% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
Is Community College of Philadelphia a good choice for Computer and Information Sciences, General despite lower starting pay?
Lower starting pay at Community College of Philadelphia may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Computer and Information Sciences, General graduates?
Computer and Information Sciences, General connects to 2 apprenticeship pathways. These DOL-registered programs combine structured training with paid employment — a strong alternative for students who prefer hands-on learning over classroom instruction.
Is there demand for Computer and Information Sciences, General workers?
The career paths mapped to Computer and Information Sciences, General have roughly 338,800 combined annual openings nationally, making this a very large job market. Trade careers in this field benefit from consistent replacement demand as workers retire.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →