Computer Science at Mount Wachusett Community College

Gardner, MA · Public · Associate Degree · Computer and Information Sciences, General

a compact campus enrolling 2,554 students in Gardner, MA.

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $38,975/yr, roughly in line with the $38,485 national median for Computer Science. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

The 34.1x 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 risk is moderate — 69% task exposure — and the 1% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Computer Science graduates.

With first-year pay of $38,975 far exceeding the $7,322 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

At #70 out of 109 programs, Mount Wachusett Community College's financial outcomes for Computer Science trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Computer Science connects to 2 apprenticeship options. The earn-while-you-learn model can be a strong alternative or complement to a certificate program.

65 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
58
Low End
65
Score
67
High End
Earnings $38,975/yr (1% vs median)
AI-Proof Exposed (31% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (338,800 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$411K
1.2% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
34.3x
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)
$12,000
Out-of-state: $21,840
Median Debt at Graduation
$7,322
2.3 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 Mount Wachusett Community College

Explore the Degree Alternative

Not sure if a trade program or four-year degree fits better? Compare both paths.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Computer Science at Mount Wachusett Community College?
At 65/100, the score looks reasonable — but Computer Science is a high-scoring trade overall. Compared to peers, this program's earnings and ROI fall below the median.
How vulnerable is Computer Science to AI automation?
With 69% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $407,764 in decade earnings vs $411,432 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What's the typical debt for Computer Science graduates from Mount Wachusett Community College?
Median debt of just $7,322 against $38,975/yr in starting salary means graduates can clear their loans in under 2 months. This is one of the more affordable paths in our dataset.
Can I learn Computer Science through an apprenticeship instead of Mount Wachusett 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 Mount Wachusett Community College.
How many job openings are there for Computer Science graduates?
At 338,800 annual openings, Computer Science has a very large employment base. Mount Wachusett Community College graduates benefit from broad demand, particularly given ongoing digital transformation and technology adoption.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →