I've loved programming since I was eight. I've solved roughly 500 LeetCode problems and built several projects, so studying computer science feels like the obvious choice because I genuinely enjoy the work. The problem is the cost: I don't want to take on six-figure student debt for a career that may not lead to a reasonable job.
I keep hearing that the entry-level software market is extremely competitive and that AI may reduce the number of programming jobs. I'm willing to keep coding, building projects, and practicing in my spare time regardless, but I'm wondering whether I should choose a more stable degree or a related field such as engineering, accounting, nursing, trades, IT, or controls engineering.
If you were in my position, would you still study computer science? Is the risk mainly from the field itself, or from paying too much for the degree?
4 Answers
Passion is valuable, but it doesn’t remove the need for a practical plan. The people struggling most are often those who rushed into the field for quick money, have little hands-on experience, or only apply to a narrow group of famous companies. Build things you actually care about, document your decisions, meet developers in person, find internships, and learn how software works beyond simply generating code. Good developers are still needed, but the bar for proving your ability is higher than it used to be.
No one can guarantee what the market will look like by the time you graduate. Entry-level hiring is difficult, and being willing to relocate may help. Research actual employment data and job postings in the places where you could realistically work rather than relying on online anecdotes. Related options such as IT, DevOps, embedded systems, automation, controls engineering, or a traditional engineering degree combined with programming can also be good paths, but none are completely protected from automation or economic cycles.
You sound like the kind of person who has a real shot in this field because you already enjoy programming without needing an external reason. The market is competitive, though, so learn the fundamentals thoroughly and become comfortable using AI tools without treating them as a substitute for understanding code. Prompting is useful, but strong computer science knowledge is what lets you judge, debug, and maintain what those tools produce.
That’s reassuring. I keep seeing people claim that even genuinely skilled and passionate new graduates will struggle, so it’s hard to tell how much of that is reality and how much is internet pessimism.
The biggest warning sign here is the six-figure debt, not necessarily computer science itself. Look at affordable state schools, community college pathways, scholarships, and programs with strong employer connections. A reasonably priced degree plus internships, real projects, data structures, and networking is a much safer bet than an expensive private degree. Your portfolio should focus on useful projects that you can explain deeply, not just a list of tutorials or coding-problem scores.
A physics or engineering degree with a computer science minor could also keep more doors open, especially if you’re interested in robotics, embedded work, or industrial automation.