ROI Major

Computer and Information Sciences, General at Old Dominion University

VA · Bachelor's Degree · CIP 11.01

Apply Now Data: 2026 release

Executive Summary

Graduates with a Computer and Information Sciences, General degree from Old Dominion University earn a median salary of $94,199 within five years of graduation. Adjusted for the cost of living in VA, this represents a national purchasing power equivalent of $91,901. The degree typically pays for itself in 4.1 years.

Quick Insights

Solid Investment

How this degree looks at a glance

A fast read on salary range, break-even speed, living-cost impact, and where bachelor's graduates from this school usually land.

Salary Ranges

Starting Range

$73,740

Typical Career

$94,199

Top Performers

$121,527

Estimated break-even: 4.1 years.

Debt-to-Income Check

$628

Estimated comfortable monthly loan payment

Typical monthly pay is approximately $7,850. Most students can comfortably afford about a $628 monthly loan payment with this degree.

Comparison Bench

This degree earns 2.4x more than the average US high school graduate and 1.2x more than the average college graduate.

Purchasing Power Context

A dollar in Virginia buys what costs $1.03 nationally.

Industry Breadcrumbs

Top industries for bachelor's graduates from this school: Health Care & Social Assistance, Educational Services, Professional, Scientific & Technical Services.

Where Bachelor's Graduates from This School Work

Health Care & Social Assistance 20.1%
Educational Services 17.3%
Professional, Scientific & Technical Services 14.8%

Institution-wide industry mix for bachelor's graduates, 5 years after graduation. This is not major-specific. Source: Census PSEO Flows.

5-Year Median Salary — National Purchasing Power Equivalent

$91,901

Nominal: $94,199 in Virginia (COL 102.5% of national avg) · 2.4% lower purchasing power

10-Year Earnings Curve

Break-Even Timeline

How long until cumulative earnings advantage exceeds total college investment (tuition + opportunity cost vs. entering workforce directly after high school).

4.1 years to break even
Graduation 15 years

Total Investment

$155,168

4yr tuition + 4yr opportunity cost

HS Graduate Baseline

$38,792/yr

BLS 2023 median, HS diploma

View Raw Data: Median Earnings by Year
Timeframe 25th Pct. Median (50th) 75th Pct.
1 Year After Graduation $47,907 $65,312 $81,869
5 Years After Graduation $73,740 $94,199 $121,527
10 Years After Graduation $90,638 $117,406 $152,177

Source: US Census Bureau Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes (PSEO), 2025 release. Earnings shown for Bachelor's degree graduates (all cohorts combined).

How We Calculate Purchasing Power

The median salary of $94,199 is reported by the US Census Bureau's Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes (PSEO) dataset for graduates working in VA, which has a cost-of-living index of 102.5% of the national average.

Formula: Adjusted Salary = Nominal × (1.0 ÷ COL Index)
= $94,199 × (1.0 ÷ 1.0250) = $91,901 National Average equivalent.

COL index source: BLS Regional Consumer Price Index & MIT Living Wage Project, 2023. Full methodology →

Career Verdict

Graduates with a degree in Computer and Information Sciences from Old Dominion University can expect a robust earnings trajectory. The median earnings one year after graduation stand at $65,312, which increases significantly to $94,199 five years post-graduation and reaches $117,406 a decade later. When adjusted for purchasing power, the median earnings five years after graduation are approximately $91,901.46, reflecting the competitive nature of the field and the potential for financial stability over time.

In terms of career opportunities, graduates predominantly enter sectors such as Health Care & Social Assistance (20.1%), Educational Services (17.3%), and Professional, Scientific & Technical Services (14.8%). The estimated break-even point compared to a high-school-only path is approximately 4.1 years, indicating a favorable return on investment for those pursuing this degree. Overall, the combination of strong earnings potential and diverse industry opportunities suggests that a degree in Computer and Information Sciences from Old Dominion University offers a solid career path with a promising return on investment.

AI-assisted editorial analysis based on Census PSEO data. Fact-checked against source data.

Compare with Another School

See how the Computer and Information Sciences, General degree at Old Dominion University stacks up against another institution side-by-side.

Data sources: US Census Bureau Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes (PSEO). Cost-of-living index: BLS Regional CPI & MIT Living Wage Project. Cost of attendance: IPEDS. For informational use only; data may be suppressed for small cohort sizes.

Ready to apply?

Start your application for Computer and Information Sciences, General at Old Dominion University.

Apply to Old Dominion University

Explore More

Other Degrees at Old Dominion University