Computer Science Degrees Lose Popularity as AI Advances

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Computer science enrollment has dropped sharply in recent years as students worry about the impact of AI on software engineering jobs. Many are instead choosing to pursue degrees in engineering, AI, and other specialized computer science fields like data science and cybersecurity. Experts say the career prospects for computing programs will depend on universities' ability to adapt their curricula to keep pace with AI's evolution.

Why it matters

The decline in computer science enrollment reflects growing concerns among students about the future job market as AI systems become increasingly capable of writing and debugging code. This shift could have significant implications for the tech industry, which has long relied on a steady pipeline of computer science graduates.

The details

Enrollment in computer and information science programs at four-year universities dropped 8.1% in the 2025-2026 school year, the steepest decline of any field of study. Within the computer science family, the computer science major specifically saw an 11.2% plunge in enrollment. In contrast, enrollment in engineering programs grew 7.3%, with electrical engineering up 13.8% and mechanical engineering up 11.4%. Students are also showing more interest in specialized AI programs, which have spread to dozens of universities in recent years.

• In the 2025-2026 school year, enrollment in computer and information science programs at four-year universities dropped 8.1 percent.
• In 2022, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology launched its 'AI and Decision Making' major, which is already the second-most popular major at MIT, after computer science.
• The University of California system saw computer science enrollment drop 6 percent in 2025, with the only increase at UC-San Diego, which has a dedicated AI major.