Is getting a Computer Science Degree Worth it?

If you’ve spent enough time in computer science, you must have understood the secret to ace this discipline which lies in technical skills rather than theoretical knowledge. It puts a big question mark on the value of higher education in computer science. Is a Computer Science degree worth it? From a conventional viewpoint, one needs to obtain a degree to be successful in any field, no degree nullifies the chances of getting a job. However, this principle does not apply to the IT sector. BS or MS degrees in computer science are just a dime a dozen, countless people have them yet cannot stand out in the job market.

In fact, IT employers often look for people with excellent tech skills regardless of whether they possess a higher degree in computer science or other tech-related fields. Over the years, the number of students enrolling for a master’s degree in computer science has fallen drastically. Since a majority of people have realized that it is a huge waste of investment in terms of money, effort, and time.

Moreover, many engineering and computer science graduates found themselves adrift as they hunt for jobs. One can determine that a higher degree in computer science won’t necessarily guarantee a good job; it requires the right skill set in programming and coding to land a sustainable career opportunity.

Let’s assess and evaluate the Computer Science degree worth building an IT career:

Why should you avoid enrolling for MS in Computer Science?

While a C.S. degree gives comprehensive education on topics like computer language theory, software development & advanced algorithms, some major downsides of pursuing this degree cannot be avoided.

• Firstly, getting a C.S degree is a long-term commitment for beginners who seek to learn coding from scratch. It takes 2 to 4 years to finish this degree; the rest depends on how much time you dedicate to your studies.
• Another obstacle students face when applying for a C.S degree in the U.S. is the amount of money it demands.The average tuition and fees to earn a C.S degree ranges from $35,000 to $60,000 for private colleges, $20,000 to $40,000 for in-state residents (public colleges), and $30,000 to $60,000 for out-of-state residents (public universities).

Once you finish your BS in computer science, you will have 2 options: to go for a master’s degree or enroll in a technical up-skill program. Most students believe the former option is the best for better career opportunities. However, it is the biggest misconception.

Basically, a master’s in computer science degree covers the following topics:

• Algorithms;
• Java, Python, C, or Swift;
• Product Management, UX, iOS, basics of Software Engineering, Android Dev, Advanced C++, OOP, Web Dev;
• Networking, Databases, Comp Arch, Compilers, Distributed Systems & Functional Programming OS.

Since half of the above list is already covered in a bachelor’s degree and the rest can be picked up with a book and basic experience in coding, there is no point wasting 2 years on obtaining a master’s degree. The degree program does not give any technical training to the students; also, the professors only provide theoretical knowledge that hardly helps in getting jobs at tech companies.

Master’s in Computer Science is Overrated

Having a higher level of education might not necessarily help you meet your career goals, specifically when it comes to the IT sector. After all, it is just a piece of paper that proves your qualification. Though a C.S degree is beneficial for international students for Visa approval and filing, no more than that.

Many IT companies look beyond the CS degree when hiring programmers and developers. Employers today are more interested to know how well you can handle real-world projects.

So, it is essential to stay up to date on the latest web standards, learn modern frameworks, and adapt practices to enrich user experience in the technical domain. Consistent learning is enough to grab the right opportunity.

You don’t need a 4-year education in computer science to learn a bunch of theoretical stuff, which to jobs that require technical expertise like coding. Instead, go for practical IT skill enhancement courses that will give the right training in a few months.

Costs involved in enrolling MS degree in Computer Science

MS in computer science is a 1 to 2-year course offered by around 400 universities across the United States.

• International Students who want to pursue this program need a 4 years bachelor’s degree in the related field of study.
• The tuition fees for MS in computer science range from $78,000 to $141,000 approximately. (excluding the room & board cost).
• Some computer science & IT programs can cost over 55,000 USD/year.

Considering the duration of this course, that is a lot of money, but there is another cost that you will incur by getting this degree, i.e., opportunity cost. With an increasing demand for tech jobs, you will have a good chance of getting a job at an average starting salary of 64,111 USD/year if you can become a viable candidate in the market.

However, securing a job with just a degree is not guaranteed. Surely, you can do a master’s in computer science, but after four years, you will end up under $100,000 in debt with vague coding knowledge.

Some Ultra-Successful Tech Genius without a College Degree

If you still think that skipping a master’s degree is not right from a career outlook, consider these living examples of tech giants that proved a degree is not important to become successful and skills really matter the most.

• Bill Gates– The name that needs no introduction is a Harvard University dropout. Soon after dropping off college, this tech whiz focuses on building Microsoft, and the rest is history. Today, Gates stands tall in the list of the world’s richest men, with a net worth of $108.5 billion.
• Mark Zuckerberg– Another tech-savvy that created the largest social networking platform, Facebook, left Harvard University in his sophomore year. Zuckerberg is the 16th richest person in the world, having a net worth of $60.8 billion.
• Michael Dell– The founder of Dell left the University of Texas in his very first year. Dell started his first company at the young age of 19 years and named it PCs Ltd, which later became popular as Dell Computer Corp. In 1992, the Fortune 500 list featured him as the youngest CEO.
• Jan Koum- Having moved to the US from Ukraine with his mother at 16 Jan embarked on a journey from rags to riches. While he was a student at San Jose State University, he found employment at Yahoo as an infrastructure engineer. Two weeks later, he quit college, and after serving Yahoo for over a decade, he co-founded WhatsApp.
• Larry Ellison- Founder of one of the largest technology companies in the world, Oracle, once said that he couldn’t force himself to study something that didn’t serve his interest, and after a few years of difficulty in pre-med college, he decided to drop out. Today, Larry is known as a software billionaire.
• Steve Jobs- Apple CEO, was a rebel in so many ways. Having an early interest in computing, Steve went to Reed College but dropped out soon after one semester to start Apple in his garage back in 1974. At the time of his death, Jobs estimated net worth was approx. $7 billion.
• Paul Allen– The co-founder of Microsoft, is also a college dropout. The famous duo of Bill Gates and Paul Allen made $20,000 out of their first venture Traf-O-Data, a tool to measure the traffic flow in the Seattle area.

Most startups are hesitant to hire fresh graduates; instead, they want people who have had some training outside of college. Modern employers aren’t looking for people with a degree in coding, rather, they evaluate the practical skills of candidates by taking coding tests.

IT Companies today have different expectations and hiring processes than they had earlier. As tech skills are in high demand, many employers are willing to overlook a lack of higher education. Even the top tech companies like Facebook and Google are looking past degrees and qualifications.

If you can start the job from day one without any need for training and have some soft skills, you can easily land a good job. Thus, instead of wasting 2 years on an MS degree, you should join some tech-brain camp to acquire coding skills that will streamline your IT career.

A decline in the number of International Students in U.S. Graduate Level Programs

Recently, the Trump administration has imposed a new set of rules against the admission of Chinese grads and is considering eliminating (OPT) Optional Practical Training for international students.

The stringent immigration policies in the U.S. have shifted the flow of international students, which can majorly impact the tech future of America. Also, the companies are hiring US citizens more than master’s degree foreign students due to the H1B visa issues.

Decreased enrollments were seen at every level of programs. In the undergraduate programs, the international students declined by 2.4% to 431,930, whereas the numbers were down by 1.3% to 377,943 in the graduation program.

The below table represents the percentage changes in the number of international enrollments from the academic year (2017-18) to (2018-2019).

Source– Open Doors

The Bureau of Labor Statistics has estimated that there will be approx 1 million job openings in computer occupations from 2014 to 2024. Despite that, a growing number of students in the U.S. doing a BS in computer science are struggling to keep pace with the number of available jobs. They have realized that this field may no longer offer the same number of opportunities by the time their course of study gets completed.

Many programming language-related jobs are being created daily, so why is there no simultaneous increase in students pursuing a C.S. degree? It is because people have learned that you don’t need a master’s degree in coding to start a software or programming developer career.

Not Everyone Who Works in IT has a Computer Science Degree

According to a reliable source, less than half, or only 43%, of IT support workers have a bachelor’s degree. They acquire the needed skills to perform their duties at work, thus proving that a computer science degree isn’t worth it, and prefer to skip through the hoop of a 4-year degree program.

IT environment evolves consistently and offers many job opportunities for those with practical skills. Whether you’re into infrastructure, coding, or analysis, there is likely a tech job for you that befits your unique interests.

Modern Americans don’t see the need for an advanced degree in coding when they can hop onto an array of professional opportunities with technical skills. So, don’t hold back from pursuing IT if you lack a computer science degree; you have other options that will lead you to the job of your choice.

As the US economy progressed, the percentage of graduates in programs has dropped, and going to grad school has become the least priority for several students.

Why choose Technology Up Skill Program Over Higher Education Degree in Computer Science?

Many students deliberate whether to learn coding at a tech organization or enroll in a computer science degree at university.

CS degrees take around 4 years to give in-depth theoretical knowledge and programming practices, but in a technical interview, you still need to prove your skills as a degree won’t sail through. To kickstart your career as a software developer or programmer, connecting with a renowned Tech-Braincamp like SynergisticIT is a prudent choice. We teach you practically applicable and up-to-date skills and provide the right career coaching within 5 to 6 months. Let’s compare C.S degree and Technology up-skill programs on different factors:

• Cost- As mentioned before, you must loosen your pockets when applying for a CS degree. The average tuition fee of $13500 at top CS programs can triple quarterly in just one academic year. Even if you find cheaper in-state colleges under $20,000/year, you have to bear additional expenditures like living costs without a full-time job. You may take loans that ultimately put you in debt to fix the tight budget. On the other hand, you can develop programming skills at SynergisticIT for a fee less than the cost of one semester in a CS program.
  
• Return on Investment (ROI)- Though most coding graduates tend to secure a job within 3 months of completing their degree, one cannot ignore the time and financial investment it demands. When it comes to ROI, technical up-skill programs win. Completing an IT skill development course requires less time and money, and it offers nearly equal earnings compared to a CS degree.
• Curriculum– The computer science degree curriculum is outdated and confines students’ knowledge by providing a general foundation for programming that includes Java, C++, Computer Science Theory, Advanced Mathematics, and algorithms. Each year professors teach the same curriculum to students without any upgradation in the course. In contrast, our up-skill program trainers go beyond the command line. We cover extensive coding languages and tools such as Java, DevOps, AWS, Python, Machine Learning, Data Science, Big Data, etc.
• Lack of job placement assistance- It is a well-informed & calculated risk that students take when pursuing a master’s degree in CS. No US university promises or guarantees a job placement when you enroll in the program. Getting a job in the country is more related to the experience and networking of students that’s why we at SynergisticIT not only enhance your tech skills but also provide suitable job placements.

Conclusion

A CS degree is the best option for a well-rounded theoretical understanding of coding and computer systems, but to immerse into the coding language and its practical implications, you should go for our Technology up-skill program.

Now you must understand that the only key to entering the IT industry is having exceptional programming and technical skills, while the degree is just a superficial piece of paper that proves your qualification. So, if you want to grasp some lucrative opportunities in the job market of the IT sector, work on your practical skills.

Anytime you want to upgrade your skills and need a helping hand to enter or reenter the tech workforce with high-demand tech skills, reach out to us. Since 2010 we have helped 1000’s of jobseekers succeed in the technology sector. SynergisticIT’s career-oriented training programs guarantee fast-paced, quality tech education, preparing you with top-notch skills for coveted tech roles in the industry. Reach out to us. SynergisticIT– Home of the Best Data Scientists and Software Programmers in the Bay Area!