Top 4 Reasons to Pursue a BS in Computer Science Degree

More than 35,000 college students earn a computer science degree, every year according to Data USA. This contributes to the roughly 1.85 million people who are working in this field at any given time in the United States alone.

Additionally, while Los Angeles, New York, and Chicago have the highest concentration of individuals with this type of degree, computer science majors can be found all over the country. In fact, Data USA indicates that other locations—such as Fairfield, Iowa, Warrensburg, Missouri, and Hoboken, New Jersey—have a high number of computer science graduates as well.

But why pursue this particular degree when you have countless others from which to choose? Answering this question begins with first understanding exactly what computer science is.

Computer Science Defined

Computer science involves the study and application of systems and applications that are computer related.

Because of this, a large part of working in this particular field requires that you understand and can proficiently use computer software and software-based systems. This includes everything from their theory and design to their development and application.

Part of what makes computer science unique is that it is both concrete and abstract. For instance, it is concrete when computer science professionals design applications, but more abstract for those working with algorithms and the solutions these computer-operated calculations can potentially provide.

Top Reasons for Pursuing a BS Degree in Computer Science

So, what are some of the most compelling reasons for pursuing a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in computer science? Here are a few to consider.

1. Access to a wide variety of career options

Though some computer science majors use their bachelor's degree to offer services related solely to coding and programing, the career options in this field extend far beyond this.

For instance, if you have a computer science degree, you have the knowledge and skills necessary to become a technical writer. In this role, you would responsible for creating instructional guides and graphics that show users how to use a specific product.

Or maybe you're more interested in helping companies implement the most effective information technology (IT) system possible. In this case, you could use your computer science degree to work as an IT consultant and advise these businesses as to what type of system would help them meet their objectives or resolve any current IT issues.

Other career options for computer science majors include: software engineer, web developer, systems analyst, network administrator, and more.

2. The ability to choose from a range of available specialties

Not only do you have a lot of career options when you graduate with a BS in computer science, but you also have the ability to specialize in a specific area of this field.

For instance, if you have a passion for design and like to use images and pictures to create a certain effect, you could specialize in computer graphics.

Or perhaps you are a futuristic thinker who enjoys finding ways to help people make their lives easier with the help of automatically-acting electronic devices, making a specialty in artificial intelligence (commonly referred to as AI) an option to consider.

Additional specializations in computer science include mobile computing, network and computer security, information management, and software engineering, among others.

3. High income potential

Certainly, money isn't everything when choosing a career path, but earning a decent income post-graduation can definitely make a specific degree more appealing. Computer science is one of those degrees.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median income for all occupations is $37,690 per year. Yet, those working in the computer field often earn much more. In some cases, more than three times this amount.

Here are just a few of the most common computer-based occupations that require a BS degree and their median annual pay:

• Computer network architect - $104,650 per year
• Computer programmer - $82,240 per year
• Computer systems analyst - $88,279 per year
• Database administrator - $87,020 per year
• Information security analyst - $95,510 per year

4. Computer science actively changes the world

If you consider all of the technological advancements that exist today, none of them would be possible without an extended knowledge of computers and how they work. This is especially true since computers are no longer just electronic devices that sit on our desks or laps.

In fact, computer science is instrumental in making advances with our smartphones, electronic healthcare devices, and basically any instrument that requires a "brain" that helps it run as intended.

Thinking about how much each of these items has changed and gotten dramatically more effective and efficient over the years, this means that when you graduate with a computer science degree, you're also able to take an active role in changing the world. How great is that?

Ready to Earn Your Computer Science Degree?

If you're ready to earn your computer science degree, Saint Leo University offers a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science – Information Assurance.

With this degree, you can work in a variety of fields, have access to many different specialties, earn a decent annual wage, and change the world.

So, the question isn't so much why you should pursue a computer science degree, but more so, why not?