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Computer Science at Tidewater Community College

Norfolk, VA · Public · Associate Degree · Computer and Information Sciences, General

serving 11,797 students in Norfolk, VA.

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $45,084/yr, edging above the $38,485 national average for Computer Science — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand for this trade.

With a 41.4x 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 $13,230 in median debt against $45,084 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.

A #54 ranking among 109 Computer Science programs places Tidewater Community 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
63
Low End
70
Score
72
High End
Earnings $45,084/yr (17% vs median)
AI-Proof Exposed (31% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (338,800 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Year 1 Earnings
$45K
Reported median after graduation
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
41.6x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
14 of 14
Occupations with strong AI resilience
Program Tuition (In-State)
$11,428
Out-of-state: $23,434
Median Debt at Graduation
$13,230
3.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$42,942
Small cohort — data may not reflect typical outcomes

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

View all 109 schools offering Computer Science →

Computer Science at Other Schools

Colorado State University Global ($61,737) Des Moines Area Community College ($60,163) University of Nebraska at Omaha ($58,750) Salt Lake Community College ($57,428) Salt Lake Community College ($55,961) Southeast Community College Area ($55,738) Wake Technical Community College ($55,264) Front Range Community College ($53,219)

Other Majors at Tidewater Community College

Nursing ($69,764) Engineering ($68,555) Allied Health Professions ($62,524) Electrical Engineering Technology ($56,971) Mechanical Engineering Technology ($54,461) Vehicle Repair Technology ($47,722) Allied Health Professions ($42,572) Business Administration ($42,521)

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

Compare Computer Science degree programs on DegreeOutlook →

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

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Tidewater Community College's Computer Science program score?
This program scores 70/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Computer Science nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, hands-on AI resilience, and solid financial return.
How vulnerable is Computer Science to AI automation?
AI won't eliminate Computer Science careers, but it may reshape them. At Tidewater Community College, a score of 70/100 already accounts for the 69% task exposure — the ROI calculation factors in reduced employment probability.
How affordable is Computer Science at Tidewater Community College?
At $13,230 in median debt, Computer Science graduates from Tidewater Community College carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.3x is well below the trade program average.
Are there apprenticeship options for Computer Science?
There are 2 registered apprenticeships connected to Computer Science occupations, such as Data Scientist and It Project Manager. The earn-while-you-learn model means no tuition debt and immediate income, though the training period is typically longer.
How many job openings are there for Computer Science graduates?
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 →