Picture this. It’s a typical day at one of the top tech companies in the country, and your programming contributions are pivotal for your team’s success. You’re in a senior level role. You’re making more. Your skillset shines among your coworkers. You also have a master’s degree in computer science.
It’s no secret that having a graduate level education is a reliable way to help secure a better job with pay that matches your capabilities. On paper, a master’s degree is a great investment, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the right path for everyone. There’s a lot to consider. From knowing your educational and financial motivations to understanding your own career goals and time commitments, there isn’t a binary answer to whether getting a master’s in computer science is worth your time.
A Master’s Degree at a Glance
So, what can you typically expect from an MS in Computer Science degree?
The DigiPen Difference
DigiPen’s MS in Computer Science is a two-year program where students meet in person to collaborate on projects and follow their specialized focus areas. Build experience through team-based projects and a curriculum that is built to naturally blend physics, AI, graphics, and more by creating original games.
Establishing Your Goals
Knowing how and where you’re thinking of attending a master’s program in computer science is important, but knowing the why is just as critical. To help narrow down your goals for a graduate degree, let’s break it down into three main considerations: career, earning potential, and academics.
Career and Job Opportunities
Graduate programs are great at opening doors and expanding the kinds of roles you qualify for, but why get a new job in the first place? Most graduates want a higher salary, and a role requiring a master’s degree is likely to provide that.
There are other factors too. Computer science is a broad term, with entire industries dedicated to one particular type of programming. A master’s degree in computer science can help you hone in on the topics that interest you the most and get you into jobs and companies requiring that expertise.
Are you interested in a master’s program but you don’t have a computer science background? That’s okay! In fact, many graduate programs make it possible for you to pivot into the computer science field with a curriculum that is designed to strengthen core concepts, at least in the first semester. You’ll still need to nail the basics prior to the program to get you up to speed, but it’s certainly doable.
The DigiPen Difference
Your story with DigiPen doesn’t end once you graduate. Company Days and networking mixers featuring industry giants are regularly hosted by our Career Services and Alumni Relations office. Both students and graduates alike have connected with influential companies like:
- Microsoft
- Amazon
- Meta
- Apple
- Nintendo
- Netflix
- T-Mobile
- Epic Games
- Valve
Earning Potential and Salaries
Earning better pay in your career is a completely reasonable goal for pursuing an advanced degree. If you’re entering the job market with advanced skills and experience in specialized focus areas, then you’re likely to stand out and land those higher-paying roles.
Your time is also a major consideration. Life might not be as straightforward as it was in your undergrad years, which is why graduate programs come with greater flexibility. How long does a master’s in computer science take? For most programs, you’re looking at one to two years, so determining if you are financially able to attend will be crucial in the decision process. You may have to cut current work hours, find a part-time job, or solely focus on your education. There isn’t an easy answer, and everyone’s situation is different, but that’s why colleges invest in support systems like financial aid and scholarships.
The DigiPen Difference
Securing financial aid is key for anyone applying to DigiPen. Combining outside scholarships with DigiPen scholarships is a great way to make our graduate program a feasible option.
Academics and Curriculum
Take a moment to consider what specific skills you’re looking for out of a master’s in computer science program. If you’re already well-versed in programming, what kind of topics are you looking to get a deeper understanding of? Many colleges design their programs with specializations that let you deepen your knowledge in specific focus areas. Different programs have different tracks, so knowing which skills you want to hone will help you pick the right program.
If you’re not as well-versed in computer science, then you may be looking for a more general program to help ease you into broader programming concepts. Paying attention to sample course sequences can help you determine which program makes sense for you.
There’s also the research aspect of a graduate program. How important is it for you to contribute academic research and new findings to the field of computer science? Certain programs value academic research differently, so you’ll want to find a program that matches your interest in research. Hoping to get a doctoral degree as well? The research aspect of a master’s degree program is the next step to pursuing that level of education.
The DigiPen Difference
Every student in DigiPen’s MS in Computer Science program gets to pick one of four tracks to specialize their coursework in: artificial intelligence, graphics, physically-based simulation, and image processing. The choice is yours!
Benefits to Pursuing a Master’s Degree in Computer Science
If you’ve made it this far, then you might be thinking a master’s in computer science is worth considering. Ideally you now have a better understanding of your own personal motivations, so let’s take a look at the specific advantages our graduates often enjoy.
Career and Job Opportunities
The tech industry isn’t going anywhere, and government-backed data helps make that clear. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment for computer and information research scientists is projected to grow 26% from 2023 to 2033. That’s an estimated 3,400 new jobs every year for this specific type of role. For all computer and information technology occupations, you’re looking at an average of 356,700 openings each year. It’s a great sign for job stability and anyone wondering what can you do with a master’s in computer science.
An expanding tech field is great for anyone entering the scene after graduating. In the eyes of employers, experience is a primary factor when hiring. This might seem like a detraction for continuing your education, but a master’s degree can often help you bypass entry-level roles and make you an asset for mid- to senior-level positions right from the start.
There’s truth in the value of knowing the right people too. Depending on what college you ultimately attend for your master’s in computer science, the faculty you meet could be prominent industry figures with strong connections. Classmates go on to find their own work after graduating, and the friendships you make in school may help you down the line. The alumni network is a powerful tool!
The DigiPen Difference
DigiPen is located right in the middle of Redmond, Washington, one of the biggest and most well-connected tech hubs in the world. Interested in joining Amazon? Google? Meta? Companies like Microsoft are essentially our neighbors, and the connections to our school through faculty and alumni run deep.
Earning Potential and Salaries
What about the pay? According to BLS, the computer science industry brings in a median annual wage of $105,990 as of May 2024. This is over double the median annual wage of all occupations.
Computer and information research scientists typically need graduate level education when being hired, and those in this particular programming field bring in a median pay of $140,910 per year. And that’s just the average — if you look at the highest 10 percent, they earn more than $232,120. That shouldn’t be the expectation coming out of a master’s degree, but you’re laying the groundwork for that trajectory as you continue to land higher-tier roles.
More broadly, computer programmers earned a median wage of $98,670 as of May 2024. The top 10 percent of computer programmers are looking at wages higher than $162,090. Software developers earned a median wage of $133,080 as of May 2024 with the top 10 percent bringing in over $166,960.
The DigiPen Difference
As of the 2024 Annual Report, DigiPen’s MS in Computer Science students sit at a 100% employment rate. Our project-based courses help solidify experience while getting your degree, something employers definitely notice.
Academics and Curriculum
As you consider which country or university is best for a master’s in computer science, focus on the curriculum and what each program has to offer, especially when it comes to specializations and tracks. In the working world, you’ll often find positions looking to tap into a specific skillset. If you have passion for one of these subject areas, look for a program that puts extra emphasis on it. A few track examples:
Artificial Intelligence
Explore AI models and algorithms to create intelligent systems that can reason and complete complex tasks.
Graphics
Understand the technology behind the computer graphics that power video games and other media.
Physically-Based Simulation
Break down the math and techniques that allow us to simulate real-world physics within the virtual world of film and games.
Image Processing
Master the algorithms that digitally alter images and cover fundamental concepts in image representation, image filtering, and other rendering methods.
Not all graduate programs require a thesis project in order to graduate. If you’re looking to nail down the coursework, learn the concepts, and jump right into the working world, then keep an eye out for programs that offer alternatives.
The DigiPen Difference
DigiPen’s curriculum for the MS in Computer Science program comes with options. First, you’ll pick one of four tracks to tailor your coursework in the areas of artificial intelligence, graphics, physically-based simulation, and image processing. Then, for your final semester, you’ll choose to either dive into high-profile research to conduct a thesis or to take a detailed and comprehensive exam covering areas of focus.
I’m Convinced — But Where Do I Begin?
You can read through every master’s program breakdown and run through all the Reddit threads you can find, but deciding if a master’s in computer science is worth it ultimately boils down to your own personal motivations. Am I trying to make more money? Am I looking to sharpen my expertise in a specific subset of programming? Am I in a place to dedicate time for additional education? Am I looking to dive deeper into research? These are the types of questions that will guide you to an answer.
As you continue to research colleges and universities to see which program fits your needs, keep an eye out for good indicators. What kind of courses does the program teach? What research do faculty specialize in? Where do alumni from the program end up?
At DigiPen, our MS in Computer Science program prides itself on offering unique project-based learning through video game development, faculty with industry connections, and alumni with impactful experiences. Explore our degree as you continue to research the best graduate programs in computer science!