Computer Science Enrollment Falls as AI Changes Entry-Level Coding Jobs
Undergraduate computer science enrollment dropped more than 8 percent last year, and graduate enrollment fell 14 percent. Recent graduates face higher unemployment than peers in most other majors, though wages remain higher and underemployment is lower.
Undergraduate enrollment in computer science fell more than 8 percent last year, the largest absolute decline of any major in several years. Graduate enrollment dropped 14 percent over the same period. Recent graduates in the field now show a higher unemployment rate than graduates in nearly every other major.
Jack Clark, an Anthropic co-founder, said the value of more junior programmers has become less clear. Valerie Barr at Bard College now teaches introductory coursework on paper to emphasize fundamentals before students use AI tools.
Challen at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign plans a fall course that teaches software development without requiring students to write or read code. MIT introduced an artificial intelligence major in 2022 that has become the second-most-popular major on campus.
Key Facts
Story Timeline
3 events- 2022
MIT introduced an artificial intelligence major.
1 sourceThe Atlantic - 2025
The Atlantic published an article on the computer science job market.
1 sourceThe Atlantic - Last year
Undergraduate computer science enrollment declined more than 8 percent.
1 sourceThe Atlantic
Potential Impact
- 01
Universities may expand AI-focused majors and non-traditional coding courses.
- 02
Employers may increase hiring of mid- and senior-level engineers relative to juniors.
- 03
Fewer students may choose computer science as a major in the next admissions cycle.
Transparency Panel
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