<div class="edu-card" data-widget-id="10" data-cy="edu-card"> <div class="edu-card-banner" data-cy="edu-card-banner"> Advertisement </div> <div class="edu-card-container" data-cy="edu-card-container"> <div class="edu-card-content" data-cy="edu-card-content"> <div class="edu-card-title" data-cy="edu-card-title"> <h1 class="edu-card-title-heading" data-cy="edu-card-title-heading"> Berkeley's Data Science Master's </h1> <p class="edu-card-title-subheading" data-cy="edu-card-title-subheading"> Master Key Skills in Data Mining, Machine Learning, Research Design & More </p> </div> <div class="edu-card-content-description" data-cy="edu-card-content-description"> <div class="edu-card-content-description-content"> <p>The online Master of Information and Data Science (MIDS) program is preparing the next generation of experts and leaders in the data science field and providing students with a UC Berkeley education without having to relocate. Students graduate with connections to UC Berkeley’s extensive alumni network in the Bay Area and across the world. All international applicants will be required to submit official Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores.</p> </div> <span class="edu-card-content-description-readmore"> <input type="checkbox" id="edu-card-content-description-readmore-input-10" class="edu-card-content-description-readmore-input" /> <label for="edu-card-content-description-readmore-input-10" class="edu-card-content-description-readmore-label"> <span class="edu-card-content-description-readmore-label-arrow"></span> </label> </span> </div> <a class="edu-card-content-button" target="_blank" href="https://ischoolonline.berkeley.edu/requestinfo/mids/">Learn More</a> <span class="edu-card-content-caption"> </span> </div> <div class="edu-card-action" data-cy="edu-card-action"> <picture class="edu-card-picture" data-cy="edu-card-picture"> <img src="https://fortune.com/img-assets/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/UCB-DATA_MKTGAD-13675_Program-Logo_750x500.png?w=250&amp;h=165" class=""> <span class="edu-card-picture-label"> </span> </picture> <div class="edu-card-action-cta" data-cy="edu-card-action-cta"> <a class="edu-card-action-button" target="_blank" href="https://ischoolonline.berkeley.edu/requestinfo/mids/">Learn More</a> <span class="edu-card-action-caption"> </span> </div> </div> <table class="edu-card-table"> <tbody> <tr> <td>GRE Required</td> <td>No</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Part Time</td> <td>Yes</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </div></div><script> function checkWidgets() { document.querySelectorAll('.edu-card-content-description-content').forEach((content) => { const readMoreBtn = content.nextElementSibling; if (!readMoreBtn) { return; } if (content && content.clientHeight === content.scrollHeight) { readMoreBtn.style.display = 'none'; } else { delete readMoreBtn.style.removeProperty('display'); } }) } window.removeEventListener('resize', checkWidgets); window.addEventListener('resize', checkWidgets); checkWidgets();</script>

<div class="edu-card" data-widget-id="56" data-cy="edu-card"> <div class="edu-card-banner" data-cy="edu-card-banner"> Advertisement </div> <div class="edu-card-container" data-cy="edu-card-container"> <div class="edu-card-content" data-cy="edu-card-content"> <div class="edu-card-title" data-cy="edu-card-title"> <h1 class="edu-card-title-heading" data-cy="edu-card-title-heading"> Full-Stack Web Development Certificate </h1> <p class="edu-card-title-subheading" data-cy="edu-card-title-subheading"> Start your coding career today </p> </div> <div class="edu-card-content-description" data-cy="edu-card-content-description"> <div class="edu-card-content-description-content"> <p>Get comprehensive career training in web development and software engineering. Life is unpredictable, so we're flexible: attend in-person or online, full-time or part-time, with access to class recordings after each session.</p> </div> <span class="edu-card-content-description-readmore"> <input type="checkbox" id="edu-card-content-description-readmore-input-56" class="edu-card-content-description-readmore-input" /> <label for="edu-card-content-description-readmore-input-56" class="edu-card-content-description-readmore-label"> <span class="edu-card-content-description-readmore-label-arrow"></span> </label> </span> </div> <a class="edu-card-content-button" target="_blank" href="https://www.nobledesktop.com/certificates/full-stack-development/?utm_source=fortune&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=[dynamic]post-id[/dynamic]">Visit Website</a> <span class="edu-card-content-caption"> </span> </div> <div class="edu-card-action" data-cy="edu-card-action"> <picture class="edu-card-picture" data-cy="edu-card-picture"> <img src="https://fortune.com/img-assets/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Noble_logo-n-only.png?w=250&amp;h=165" class=""> <span class="edu-card-picture-label"> </span> </picture> <div class="edu-card-action-cta" data-cy="edu-card-action-cta"> <a class="edu-card-action-button" target="_blank" href="https://www.nobledesktop.com/certificates/full-stack-development/?utm_source=fortune&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=[dynamic]post-id[/dynamic]">Visit Website</a> <span class="edu-card-action-caption"> </span> </div> </div> </div></div><script> function checkWidgets() { document.querySelectorAll('.edu-card-content-description-content').forEach((content) => { const readMoreBtn = content.nextElementSibling; if (!readMoreBtn) { return; } if (content && content.clientHeight === content.scrollHeight) { readMoreBtn.style.display = 'none'; } else { delete readMoreBtn.style.removeProperty('display'); } }) } window.removeEventListener('resize', checkWidgets); window.addEventListener('resize', checkWidgets); checkWidgets();</script>

<div class="edu-card" data-widget-id="17" data-cy="edu-card"> <div class="edu-card-banner" data-cy="edu-card-banner"> Advertisement </div> <div class="edu-card-container" data-cy="edu-card-container"> <div class="edu-card-content" data-cy="edu-card-content"> <div class="edu-card-title" data-cy="edu-card-title"> <h1 class="edu-card-title-heading" data-cy="edu-card-title-heading"> Syracuse University's Online M.S. in Computer Science </h1> <p class="edu-card-title-subheading" data-cy="edu-card-title-subheading"> Earn a Master of Science in Computer Science Online in as few as 15 Months </p> </div> <div class="edu-card-content-description" data-cy="edu-card-content-description"> <div class="edu-card-content-description-content"> <p>Syracuse University's College of Engineering and Computer Science offers an online M.S. in Computer Science focusing on subjects crucial to understanding emerging systems.</p> </div> <span class="edu-card-content-description-readmore"> <input type="checkbox" id="edu-card-content-description-readmore-input-17" class="edu-card-content-description-readmore-input" /> <label for="edu-card-content-description-readmore-input-17" class="edu-card-content-description-readmore-label"> <span class="edu-card-content-description-readmore-label-arrow"></span> </label> </span> </div> <a class="edu-card-content-button" target="_blank" href="https://onlinegrad.syracuse.edu/requestinfo/mscs/">Learn More</a> <span class="edu-card-content-caption"> </span> </div> <div class="edu-card-action" data-cy="edu-card-action"> <picture class="edu-card-picture" data-cy="edu-card-picture"> <img src="https://fortune.com/img-assets/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/SYR-UMT_Lockup_Eng-Comp-Sci_Full-Configuration_RGB_COLOR_900px.png?w=250&amp;h=165" class=""> <span class="edu-card-picture-label"> </span> </picture> <div class="edu-card-action-cta" data-cy="edu-card-action-cta"> <a class="edu-card-action-button" target="_blank" href="https://onlinegrad.syracuse.edu/requestinfo/mscs/">Learn More</a> <span class="edu-card-action-caption"> </span> </div> </div> </div></div><script> function checkWidgets() { document.querySelectorAll('.edu-card-content-description-content').forEach((content) => { const readMoreBtn = content.nextElementSibling; if (!readMoreBtn) { return; } if (content && content.clientHeight === content.scrollHeight) { readMoreBtn.style.display = 'none'; } else { delete readMoreBtn.style.removeProperty('display'); } }) } window.removeEventListener('resize', checkWidgets); window.addEventListener('resize', checkWidgets); checkWidgets();</script>

ad_Comp-sci

cat_Other

Low Intent

ptype_Explainer

Preston Fore

<p>The field of computer science is quintessential to today’s technological innovations. It is one of the fastest growing areas of academic research and advancement; whereas two decades ago some universities did not have a <a href="https://fortune.com/education/information-technology/masters/rankings/best-online-masters-in-computer-science/">computer science department</a>, today it is among the most popular and competitive among students, and thus it is even hard to find a school without a program.</p><div class="paywall-selector"></div><div class="paywall">



<p>And while some never finished out a degree, many of the top tech industry leaders studied a form of computer science in college, including Amazon’s Jeff Bezos, Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg, and OpenAI’s Sam Altman.</p>



<p>Today, <a href="https://fortune.com/education/articles/what-can-you-do-with-a-masters-in-computer-science-degree/">computer science</a> has morphed into a field with dozens of specializations and concentrations, so pinning an exact definition is complicated. Technology stemming from computer science and applicants is increasingly powering all parts of the world—beyond just things we use every day like cell phones and televisions. Computers are in our cars, billboards, and traffic signals. However, what’s clear is that computer science is here to stay—and grow exponentially.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-is-computer-science">What is computer science?</h2>



<p>Put plainly, computer science is the study of computers and computation. But being able to code and use some of the most popular programming languages like HTML, JavaScript, C++, and Python is only one part of the puzzle. Learning about computer applications, networks, infrastructure, software design, ethics, and beyond are also crucial. </p>



<p>Nancy Amato is chair of the computer science department at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. She says the field is rapidly extending beyond a traditional mindset of being able to code—computer science is blending across disciplines. </p>



<p>“Computing and basically just skills for working with computation and data are really becoming foundational for everyone, every field—even a field where it kind of seemed like it wasn’t going to necessarily be the case, it is,” she tells <em>Fortune</em>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-can-you-do-with-a-computer-science-degree">What can you do with a computer science degree?</h2>



<p>In terms of titles, computer science majors can land a variety of positions other than just simply <em>computer scientist</em>. Others include software, computer, AI, or networking engineer; <a href="https://fortune.com/education/articles/what-is-a-data-scientist/">data scientist</a>; product manager; web developer; and programmer.</p>



<p>Many universities now offer their programs with specializations and concentrations with related subfields like <a href="https://fortune.com/education/articles/what-is-data-science/">data science</a>, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity—all of which are growing at rates faster than national averages. Additionally, some schools offer blended programs that allow students to engage in computer science in the context of fields like music, astronomy, or education. </p>



<p>Around half of the undergraduates at UIUC are now blending their major with other fields—a trend she expects to only increase in popularity, Amato says—adding that the most popular pairings are with mathematics, statistics, and economics as well as linguistics, philosophy, and advertising.</p>



<p>Students in the blended degree programs have more opportunities than those with a plain computer science major, Amato believes, in part due to the ability to specialize. For example, a company like John Deere may be more likely to recruit a student blending computer science with crop or animal sciences.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-type-of-education-or-degree-is-needed">What type of education or degree is needed?</h2>



<p>The good news is, there is a growing number of ways to <a href="https://fortune.com/education/articles/obtaining-tech-skills-from-a-bootcamp-versus-a-degree-do-employers-care/">learn skills in tech</a>—you don’t necessarily need a traditional four-year or advanced degree in computer science or related subjects.</p>



<p>Engaging in an online learning program—either from a company, <a href="https://fortune.com/education/articles/is-a-coding-bootcamp-worth-it/">bootcamp</a>, or even university can be a more affordable and flexible way to learn. Google, Cisco, and Microsoft offer online coursework and certification programs. </p>



<p>Amato says she believes completing a degree program and obtaining its broad training provides students with the most flexible opportunities and may help with receiving a competitive salary. Plus, she notes it is a useful insurance policy during cyclical fluctuations of the <a href="https://fortune.com/education/articles/computer-science-careers/">job market</a>.</p>



<p>But that’s easier said than done. The immense growth in interest in computer science has caused many programs to have very selective admissions. UIUC’s rate is comparable to many Ivy League schools—at close to 5-6%, according to Amato. (<em>Fortune </em>ranks the <a href="https://fortune.com/education/information-technology/best-online-masters-in-computer-science/">best online master’s in computer science</a>). </p>



<p>Despite hundreds of thousands of tech layoffs over the last two years, the tech unemployment rate remains relatively low, <a href="https://www.comptia.org/newsroom/press-releases/tech-job-gains-higher-than-expected-in-october-comptia-analysis-finds" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">at around 2.1%</a>. There are plenty of opportunities—even for those with just a bachelor’s degree, Amato says—adding that during times when big tech like Google or Meta may be struggling or hiring less—companies that are thought of less when it comes to hiring computer scientists—State Farm, for instance—may hire more.</p>



<p>A lack of racial and gender diversity remains an issue among computer science programs. Between 2008 and 2018, only about 20% of computer science undergraduate degrees were awarded to women, according to data from the <a href="https://ncses.nsf.gov/pubs/nsf21321/table/5-1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">National Science Foundation</a>.</p>



<p>“We’re definitely not where we need to be. I think we need everyone in this space,” Amato tells <em>Fortune</em>. “There is a huge projected deficit of workers in this space; we need many, many more people to be trained in computer science and AI technologies. And we can’t do that if we leave out a huge chunk of our population. So, we need everyone there.”</p>



<p>Overall, though, no matter your age or experience level, it is never necessarily too late to study computer science.</p>



<p>“If you’re studying something else, and you find out when you’re a junior or senior, that you love computer science, you know, take some computer science, then you can go for a graduate degree. If you’re already out working, you can come back,” Amato says. “There’s just a ton of options.”</p>



<div class="wp-block-group pro-tip-box-widget"><div class="wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained">
<h3 class="wp-block-heading pro-tip-box-heading">Read more</h3>



<li>Achieve your goal of becoming an expert in data science by choosing from our list of the <a href="https://fortune.com/education/information-technology/best-masters-in-data-science/">best masters in data science</a> programs.</li>
<li>Our ranking of the <a href="https://fortune.com/education/information-technology/best-online-masters-in-data-science/">best online data scientist masters programs</a> can help you find the program that best fits your schedule.</li>
<li>Getting a masters degree doesn’t have to break the bank. Here’s our list of the <a href="https://fortune.com/education/information-technology/most-affordable-masters-in-data-science/">most affordable data science masters degree programs</a>.</li>
<li>Regardless of how you scored on the GRE, you can still find an <a href="https://fortune.com/education/information-technology/best-online-masters-in-data-science/no-gre-required/">online data science masters program</a>.</li>
<li>Choose from our list of the <a href="https://fortune.com/education/information-technology/best-online-masters-in-computer-science/">best online masters in computer science programs</a> to help you make your next career move.</li>
</div></div>
</div>

With the rise in use of big data and AI, studying computer science is more popular than ever. Here’s what you need to know about the field and degrees.

What can you do with a computer science degree?

F-Search

Education

Education Articles

Jasmine Suarez

Tech

Fortune earns a commission for purchases made from affiliate partners via some links on our site; other links are not affiliate partner links. <a href='/affiliate-disclosure/'>Click here</a> to read the full Fortune advertiser disclosure and how we earn commissions.

We have independently evaluated the products and services below. We may earn affiliate revenue from links in the content.

Fortune Editors

Fortune Education is designed to be your guide to navigating this new, rich and somewhat overwhelming world of education. Our team of experienced editors is committed to scouring the universe of online offerings in order to rank, rate, provide comparisons and recommend the right solutions for you and your career.

Fortune Education

Uncategorized

homepage

articles

Articles Hub

By Region

By State

By Cost

Business

Career Hub

Health and Wellness

EDUCATION

EDUCATION ARTICLES

WHAT CAN YOU DO WITH A COMPUTER SCIENCE DEGREE?

What can you do with a computer science degree? | Fortune Education

Rich Griset

10 free data analytics courses you can take online

https://fortune.com/education/articles/free-data-analytics-courses/?itm_source=parsely-api

2024 real estate school review: AceableAgent

https://fortune.com/education/articles/real-estate-school-review-aceableagent/?itm_source=parsely-api

Brad Haft

Best health coach certifications for 2024

https://fortune.com/education/articles/best-health-coach-certifications/?itm_source=parsely-api

Brit Morse

A law associate making $300,000 a year at Skadden Arps quit over the firm’s deal with Donald Trump

/article/rachel-cohen-making-300k-year-law-associate-skadden-arps-quit-protest-firms-deal-trump/

Get ready to pay more than $2,000 for a new iPhone: Experts say Trump’s 125% tariff on China is a ‘complete disaster for Apple’ akin to ‘Armageddon’

/2025/04/10/apple-iphone-16-price-complete-disaster-china-trump-tariffs/

It’s about to get a lot harder for job seekers as tariffs are set to make the hiring landscape even more daunting

/2025/04/07/trump-tariffs-labor-market-more-challenging-job-seekers-economists-say/

This company does peer performance reviews—And then lets everyone read each other’s evaluations

/2025/03/24/performance-review-process-company-allows-all-workers-read-garner-health-workplace-culture/

2024 health coach certification review: Catalyst Coaching Institute

/education/articles/health-coach-certification-review-catalyst-coaching-institute/

A guide to a nurse’s salary: Broken down by all 50 states and industry type

/education/careers/nurse-salary/

2024 health coach certification review: Institute for Integrative Nutrition

/education/articles/health-coach-certification-review-institute-for-integrative-nutrition/

10 high-paying public health jobs right now

/education/careers/public-health-jobs/

Jason Del Rey

Is eBay actually sexy again as the ecommerce old-timer’s stock surges to an all-time high?

/2025/07/31/ebay-earnings-live-sports-cards-trading-pokemon/

Erik German

Meet the CIA-backed venture fund behind Palantir, Anduril—and a spy tool that might be on your phone

/2025/07/29/in-q-tel-cia-venture-capital-palantir-anduril/

Dana Hull

Kiel Porter

Bloomberg

Tesla engineering VP Moravy says company in ‘big swing moment’

/2025/07/27/tesla-engineering-vp-lars-moravy-big-swing-moment-musk-robotaxi-optimus-semi/

Christiaan Hetzner

Volkswagen seeks audience with Trump, dangling more than $10 billion in U.S. investments in exchange for tariff exemptions

/2025/07/25/volkswagen-trump-tariffs-exemptions/

Whether you’ve just completed your undergraduate degree or you are a professional with years of experience, Fortune is here to guide you on the next step of your educational journey.

What can you do with a computer science degree?

About the Contributors

Top Articles

10 free data analytics courses you can take online

2024 real estate school review: AceableAgent

Best health coach certifications for 2024

Syracuse University's Online M.S. in Computer Science