There’s Never Been a Better Time to Study Computer Science
The article discusses the current state of computer science education amid rising unemployment rates for recent graduates. Despite the challenges posed by AI advancements, the demand for skilled computer scientists remains strong, particularly for mid- and senior-level positions. The need for curriculum adjustments is emphasized as the field evolves rapidly.
- ▪Undergraduate enrollment in computer science has decreased by more than 8 percent, the largest decline across any major in recent years.
- ▪New computer science graduates face a higher unemployment rate compared to other fields, but they have a relatively low rate of underemployment.
- ▪The rise of AI tools is changing the landscape of programming jobs, leading to a need for computer scientists who can leverage these technologies.
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TechnologyThere’s Never Been a Better Time to Study Computer ScienceEven as AI progresses, coders aren’t doomed.By Lila ShroffIllustration by The Atlantic. Source: Getty.May 23, 2026, 7:30 AM ET ShareSave It’s a weird time to be studying computer science. Recent grads have a higher unemployment rate than those in just about every other major—yes, even philosophy. The internet is littered with rants from newly minted programmers who can’t find work. On one such YouTube video, the top comment reads: “Your first mistake is not being born earlier.” Students, meanwhile, are fleeing the field. Undergraduate enrollment in computer science dipped by more than 8 percent last year, representing the largest absolute decline across any major in several years.
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