Computer Science at Minnesota State Community and Technical College

Fergus Falls, MN · Public · Associate Degree · Computer and Information Sciences, General

with a smaller student body of 2,875 in Fergus Falls, MN.

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $44,836/yr, edging above the $38,485 national average for Computer Science — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand for this trade.

With a 39.9x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 1% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Computer Science career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

At $16,594 in median debt against $44,836 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.

A #51 ranking among 109 Computer Science programs places Minnesota State Community and Technical College in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

For students considering alternatives, 2 registered apprenticeship programs align with Computer Science careers — offering paid training instead of tuition costs.

70 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
62
Low End
70
Score
72
High End
Earnings $44,836/yr (17% vs median)
AI-Proof Exposed (31% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (338,800 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$473K
1.2% annual growth
Earnings Multiple
40.1x
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
$11,800
Median Debt at Graduation
$16,594
4.4 months of Year 1 earnings

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

From day-one roles to senior positions, Computer Science careers span a range of specializations. Read the complete outlook for graduates entering engineering & technology.

Read the full Computer Science career guide →

Compare & Explore

Computer Science Overview

Computer Science at Other Schools

Other Majors at Minnesota State Community and Technical 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 Minnesota State Community and Technical College?
A score of 70/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. Minnesota State Community and Technical College's Computer Science graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.
How vulnerable is Computer Science to AI automation?
Our scenarios model 69% of Computer Science tasks as AI-exposed. That doesn't mean job loss — it means role evolution. Minnesota State Community and Technical College's 70/100 score weights this risk into the overall assessment.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Computer Science graduates?
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 Minnesota State Community and Technical College.
Will Computer Science graduates from Minnesota State Community and Technical College find jobs?
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 →