Computer Science Degrees Aren't Returning On Investment For Coders, Research Finds

[DEAD7]

According to a new survey, coders with a bachelor's degree in computer science only earn 3,000 British Pounds (BP) more a year than those who don't have one. The survey of 4,700 developers in the UK was conducted by Stack Overflow, a community site frequented by developers for answers to technical questions. The Register reports the findings:

This is despite the average degree now costing 9,000 BP a year in tuition fees alone. Average student debt is now more than 50,000 BP, according the Institute of Fiscal Studies. The research found that the median salary of those who did not have higher education was 35,000 BP per year, while those who gained a bachelor's degree earned 38,000 BP and postgraduates took home 42,000 BP. It found that 48 per cent of developers with less than four years of professional experience currently hold a Computer Science-related undergraduate degree, while 49 per cent had completed an online course instead. The research also found that JavaScript developers were most in demand, with almost 27 per cent of jobs advertised on Stack Overflow now requiring this skill, followed by Java (22 per cent), Python (16 per cent), C# (15 per cent) and ReactJS (9 per cent).

Stack Overflow + Salary Calculator = your worth

 

[Pressure]

Seems to be a fairly moderate jump for starting salary.

Both numbers seem relatively low compared to what I see in the US, but I'm more interested in seeing the numbers for after 4 years. Also, what percentage of the workers who performed the online course also have a degree in another field. Lastly how many workers have degrees compared to those who do not?

 

[ORDER_66]

How is that possible?! arent coders like the creators of this tech shyt... the one's who build the building blocks of computer programs?

 

[Pressure]

How is that possible?! arent coders like the creators of this tech shyt... the one's who build the building blocks of computer programs?

If it's anything like when I came through we spent a lot of time on C++ and Javascript whereas most jobs rely on neither.

 

[ORDER_66]

If it's anything like when I came through we spent a lot of time on C++ and Javascript whereas most jobs rely on neither.

Gawddamit...

 

[Pressure]

Gawddamit...

that said its largely syntax for many of the languages.

Also, people with degrees, from my experience, seem to move up faster in corporate structures because of degree requirements for certain roles outside of being a specialist.

But you can always pick those up along the way and have work pay. That actually supports the results seen from OP.

 

[Jimi Swagger]

Get a real fukking job! Computer Science graduates should not be developing software - maybe as a starting point but definitely not the end game. Coding is for Information or Comp Tech majors (non-Engineering technical degrees). Comp Sci should be working on algorithms, switching technologies - the stuff behind super computing the actually ENGINEERING (You dont need 4 credit hours Differential Equations to do client-side software devlopment). Creating languages and syntax not building apps/software and high level design. Not code monkeys. It seems the engineers who end in SDLC are just lazy or aren't the greatest engineers - probably why Silicon Valley recruits Stanford so hard. They are too lazy to work for those 200K+ engineering jobs (which often require post-graduate degrees) so they settle for the 80-140K because they are mediocre.

This dude's lamenting on Quora pretty much sums up what I am trying to convey:
https://www.quora.com/What-is-the-difference-between-programming-and-coding-4

 

[Prince.Skeletor]

If it's anything like when I came through we spent a lot of time on C++ and Javascript whereas most jobs rely on neither.

Doesnt matter
C++ is where it all started for everyone.
Thats how you learn programming logic

 

[BaggerofTea]

Pay for a coding degree when you can learn python, java, bash and shell for a fraction of the cost brehs

 

[Pressure]

Doesnt matter
C++ is where it all started for everyone.
Thats how you learn programming logic

Great point!

I think these days people have moved away from starting with C++ for the reasons you state. There are better introductory languages to help people get the concepts down with easier syntax and more applicable to the jobs people get.

My point wasn't that if you learn one language that you're particularly SOL, but more that if you're less versed in a particular language it's not uncommon for your entry-level pay to not be jaw dropping as we see in the article.

There are other things too, like working in enterprise continuous development/devOps models, scoping, history on major projects, talent etc.

All in all, I found the article to be interesting because it uses averages instead of medians.

 

[Pressure]

Pay for a coding degree when you can learn python, java, bash and shell for a fraction of the cost brehs

Pretty much this. Though in the US there is certain value in a degree. I never really understood why people would go back to a traditional 4 year institution to pick up a "Computer degree. "

 

[Prince.Skeletor]

Great point!

I think these days people have moved away from starting with C++ for the reasons you state. There are better introductory languages to help people get the concepts down with easier syntax and more applicable to the jobs people get.

My point wasn't that if you learn one language that you're particularly SOL, but more that if you're less versed in a particular language it's not uncommon for your entry-level pay to not be jaw dropping as we see in the article.

There are other things too, like working in enterprise continuous development/devOps models, scoping, history on major projects, talent etc.

All in all, I found the article to be interesting because it uses averages instead of medians.

Maybe you are right.
But C++ is the language that really made me learn programming logic, but ya I never used it in any company I worked for.
My wife uses C# alot though with SQL Server, I think C# can replace C++ especially with the move from object oriented to component oriented.

Ya my first job was a measly 35K.

But I think more should learn Python as SDN is getting bigger & bigger.
Network programming is what newbies should focus on imo

 

[Pressure]

Maybe you are right.
But C++ is the language that really made me learn programming logic, but ya I never used it in any company I worked for.
My wife uses C# alot though with SQL Server, I think C# can replace C++ especially with the move from object oriented to component oriented.

Ya my first job was a measly 35K.

But I think more should learn Python as SDN is getting bigger & bigger.
Network programming is what newbies should focus on imo

These days I pretty use C# and powershell for scripting being in a windows environment.

First languange I ever used was BASIC as a child.

But network programming is certainly growing and growing fast.

Gotta be about that on call life though.

 

[Shogun]

Seems like it should have been expected. Flood the market with talent and the talent is worth less.

Maybe my history degrees will become more valuable

 

[kevm3]

Coders without a degree can get paid as much if not more as those with a degree because companies want people that can get the job done. In fact, a strong portfolio can outshine a degree. Programming isn't a field where you can hide behind a pretty piece of paper. Either you can get the job done or you can't.