Computer Science at Des Moines Area Community College

Ankeny, IA · Public · Associate Degree · Computer and Information Sciences, General

enrolling 10,406 students in Ankeny, IA.

Program Analysis

Graduates of Des Moines Area Community College's Computer Science program earn $60,163/yr in their first year — 56% above the $38,485 national median, a strong market signal for this institution.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 56.9x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Computer Science programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Computer Science's career paths, with 69% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 1% gap from the optimistic case.

At #22 of 109 nationally, this is a top-5% Computer Science program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

There are 2 registered apprenticeship pathways mapped to Computer Science, including Data Scientist (median $112,590/yr). Apprenticeships offer an alternative route that combines paid work with structured training.

78 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
70
Low End
78
Score
80
High End
Earnings $60,163/yr (56% vs median)
AI-Proof Exposed (31% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (338,800 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$635K
1.2% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
57.2x
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)
$11,100
Out-of-state: $22,200

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Computer Science 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 →

Computer Science Career Guide

Computer Science opens doors to multiple career tracks. Our pillar guide covers every mapped occupation with salary data and AI resilience ratings.

Read the full Computer Science career guide →

Compare & Explore

Computer Science Overview

Computer Science at Other Schools

Other Majors at Des Moines Area Community College

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

Compare how bachelor's degree graduates fare on earnings, ROI, and AI resilience.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Computer Science at Des Moines Area Community College?
A score of 78/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. Des Moines Area Community College's Computer Science graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.
What's the AI risk for Computer Science graduates from Des Moines Area Community College?
AI exposure of 69% is a real factor. For Des Moines Area Community College specifically, the gap between optimistic ($635,096) and pessimistic ($629,438) decade earnings reflects that uncertainty.
Why does Des Moines Area Community College rank so high for Computer Science?
Among 109 Computer Science programs, Des Moines Area Community College's #22 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.
Can I learn Computer Science through an apprenticeship instead of Des Moines Area Community College?
Yes — 2 registered apprenticeship programs are mapped to Computer Science career paths, including Data Scientist. Apprenticeships offer paid on-the-job training as an alternative or complement to a program at Des Moines Area Community College.
What's the job market like for Computer Science from Des Moines Area Community College?
The career paths mapped to Computer Science have roughly 338,800 combined annual openings nationally, making this a very large job market. Demand is driven by ongoing digital transformation and technology adoption.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →