Is Computer Science a Good Major? CS Degree Benefits

Published: June 2, 2026

Maybe you enjoy gaming, solving puzzles or writing code. You might be interested in artificial intelligence, designing your own video games or building apps. You know you want a career in tech, but you're still weighing your options. There are several paths you can take - so is computer science a good major for you?

The answer depends on your specific interests and what you'd like to do with your degree. To help you find the degree you're looking for, Northwest Missouri State University offers several related majors and ways to Be Every You, allowing you to combine majors and minors for the education that best speaks to who you are. This blog will cover the benefits and qualities of a computer science major to help you decide if it's the right option for you.

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Benefits of a Computer Science Degree

Computer Science Careers in Almost Any Industry

If you're interested in technology, writing code, programming and developing software, computer science is one of the strongest majors you can choose - both because it fits your interests and because it can lead to many career opportunities. A computer science major covers programming, data structures, networking, application development and more, with options to take courses in digital forensics, mobile computing, machine learning and other topics.

Nearly every industry needs people with these skills, creating opportunities across the following:

• Technology: The tech field offers countless career opportunities for computer science majors. Graduates can go on to build apps, develop enterprise software, design cloud infrastructure or manage networks. They may contribute to projects in artificial intelligence, machine learning or natural language processing. Or they might write code for hardware applications, like computers, controllers or smart appliances. The tech sector has roles for nearly every interest.
• Health Care: Hospitals, insurance companies, medical device manufacturers and health tech startups all rely on software systems to manage patient data, power diagnostic tools and operate more efficiently. Computer science graduates in health care can work on electronic health record systems, medical imaging software, data analytics platforms and emerging AI-assisted diagnostic applications.
• Finance: Banks, investment firms, fintech companies and insurance providers all need computer science program graduates to help process transactions, manage risk, detect fraud and serve customers. Graduates might work on algorithmic trading platforms, payment processing systems, data pipelines or security infrastructure.
• Entertainment: Streaming platforms, video game studios, visual effects companies and music tech companies all require computer science to operate. Computer science graduates can contribute to game development, animation, content delivery systems, recommendation algorithms and more.
• Sports: Sports is a growing area for computer science graduates. Professional sports teams, sports analytics firms and athletic technology companies need professionals with data science, software development and machine learning skills to help analyze performance, improve fan experiences and build apps. Government: Federal, state and local governments all need professionals who can protect sensitive data, modernize aging infrastructure and build and maintain systems that deliver public services. Roles in government tech involve software development, cybersecurity, data analysis and IT administration.

Diana Linville, senior instructor and assistant chair in Northwest's School of Computer Science and Information Systems, says this broad range is one of the biggest benefits of studying computer science.

"Technology is a part of everything we do today, and a computer science degree gives students the skills to make an impact in any industry that they choose," Linville says.

Strong Job Outlook and Earning Potential

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data validates the demand for computer science majors across industries. According to the BLS, overall employment in computer and information technology occupations is projected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations through 2034, with about 317,700 openings expected each year. The median annual wage for this group was $105,990 in May 2024. The National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) also named computer science the second most in-demand degree in its Winter 2025 Salary Survey.

The combination of strong growth, high salaries and consistent demand makes computer science a degree worth investing in, whether you're drawn to software development, cybersecurity, digital media or any number of other related roles.

Providing Skills Employers Value

Developing a unique, broad skill set is another important benefit of majoring in computer science. Employers hiring for entry-level computer science jobs look for graduates who can hit the ground running. A well-designed computer science program gives you a strong theoretical foundation in computer science concepts and practice in the skills you'll need on the job, such as the ability to:

• Write clean, functional code in multiple programming languages, such as Java, C, Python, JavaScript, SQL, Unix and Assembly.
• Communicate technical concepts to others.
• Solve problems with constraints and limited information.
• Collaborate on development teams.
• Use industry tools and platforms.
• Think critically and work independently.

Developing these skills is part of what makes a computer science degree worth it, as it provides the formal and practical preparation you need to start your career.

Flexibility to Grow and Specialize

In addition to having a strong job outlook and developing valued skills, you'll also benefit from a flexible career path. A computer science degree doesn't limit you to one role or industry - the skills you gain are transferable across job types and sectors.

Early in your career, you might work as a software developer or IT specialist. Over time, you might decide to move into machine learning, cybersecurity, data engineering or technical leadership. A computer science major gives you the foundational knowledge you need to keep up and adapt as technology advances and your career evolves. It also lays the groundwork for future graduate study, should you be interested in master's programs or computer science research.

Specific Jobs for Computer Science Majors

So, what can you do with a computer science degree, specifically? Common jobs for computer science majors include:

• Software developer: Design and build the apps, tools and programs that people and businesses use every day.
• Software engineer: Build and maintain large, complex software systems that need to work reliably for millions of users at a time.
• Data analyst: Help companies collect, organize and understand their data so they can decide what's working, what isn't and what to do next.
• Web developer: Write the code that brings websites and web applications to life. Specialize in the visual side users see (front-end development), the behind-the-scenes logic that makes it function (back-end development) or both (full-stack development).
• IT support analyst/IT specialist: Keep an organization's computers, devices and software running, diagnose technical problems and support the people who depend on that technology to do their jobs.
• Systems administrator: Oversee the servers, networks and infrastructure that keep an organization's technology up and running behind the scenes.
• Quality assurance engineer: Test software, fix bugs and make sure everything works as it should before it reaches users.

Graduates of Northwest's computer science program have held positions at leading companies such as Garmin, Herzog and Hudl.

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What Do Computer Science Majors Do?

If these careers interest you, you're probably wondering what a computer science major looks like in practice. Computer science majors learn to design, build and improve technology - but how that comes to life depends on the program and course of study. Becoming a computer science major could mean writing software for mobile apps, training machine learning models, securing networks, building web applications or analyzing large data sets. It could also mean exploring AI, cybersecurity or game development. Learn more about what computer science majors do.

What Do Computer Science Majors Do at Northwest?

At Northwest, what you study depends on where you want to go. The core curriculum builds your technical foundation, which includes programming, algorithms, software engineering, databases and networking. From there, you choose electives that take you in the direction that excites you most.

Joni Adkins, Ph.D., associate professor in Northwest's School of Computer Science and Information Systems, says that flexibility is built into the program.

"Computer science majors at Northwest Missouri State take five elective courses so they can select courses that interest them and can help in their future career," Adkins says.

Studying computer science at Northwest could look like:

• Creating your own video game in Foundations of Game Development.
• Training machine learning models and exploring AI in Machine Learning and Generative AI for Technologists.
• Building apps and web services in Developing Web Applications and Services, Mobile Computing-iOS or Android Mobile Computing.
• Hunting down vulnerabilities and learning to defend systems in Ethical Hacking and Digital Forensics.
• Completing a real client project in your Software Engineering Practice capstone.
• Contributing to client projects through Knacktive, Northwest's interdisciplinary student-run agency.

In other words, Northwest's program allows you to tailor your studies to your interests and desired career path. Whatever direction you choose, you'll graduate with projects to show for it - and the technical skills employers are looking for. Northwest's most recent placement report shows that 82.1% of computer science graduates secured employment or continued their education within six months of graduation.

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Why Major in Computer Science at Northwest?

In addition to flexibility in what you study and a range of career prospects, attending Northwest means:

• Courses in AI, machine learning and emerging technologies: Get experience with the technologies reshaping every industry and driving the highest demand in the job market.
• Profession-based learning and projects for real clients: Work on projects for real organizations, engage in hands-on activities in labs and through projects and complete a capstone in software engineering.
• Access to the latest technologies: Access the same platforms and tools industry professionals use through Northwest's partnership with GitHub. You'll also receive a university-provided laptop and work in cutting-edge labs and makerspaces.
• Opportunities to conduct and present research: Work alongside faculty on research projects that interest you and present your findings at regional conferences such as the Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska and Kansas Women in Computing Conference (MINK-WIC) and the Consortium for Computing Sciences in Colleges Central Plains Conference (CCSC:CP).
• The ability to Be Every You: Combine your computer science major with another major or minor that reflects your specific interests and career goals to build an education that's as unique as you are.

In short, Northwest's computer science program provides you with everything you need to graduate ready for whatever comes next.

Take the Next Step Toward Your Computer Science Career

Explore the computer science major at Northwest to see how the program, courses and experiences align with where you want to go.

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