Is a Computer Science Degree Worth It? Real Insights and Salary Realities

On Zhihu a user answered the question “Why not choose a computer science major?” sharing personal experience as a 985 graduate who spent years coding, solving LeetCode problems, and facing difficulties in dating due to the programmer stereotype.

Two main reasons people avoid the field are perceived lack of stability – “coding is a youth‑only job, often cut off around 35 years old” – and lack of social status or resources for family life.

The author then outlines a detailed career timeline from university selection, through internships, graduate studies, early employment, mid‑career challenges, marriage, and long‑term prospects, highlighting issues such as intense overtime, health problems, and the “35‑year‑retirement” myth.

Despite the drawbacks, the post lists groups for whom studying computer science can still be advantageous: women seeking high‑earning partners, students from very poor families, self‑identified “otaku”, immigration aspirants, and graduates of second‑tier universities.

Statistical data from various reports show that computer‑related majors have consistently ranked at the top of graduate salary lists since 2011, with information security, software engineering and network engineering often in the top three. Companies like Huawei, Tencent, Alibaba and others offer average annual salaries ranging from 70 k to over 200 k yuan, and stock‑based compensation further boosts earnings.

Overall the article argues that while the computer profession offers high income, it also carries health and stability risks, and the booming “Internet +” era may be waning, suggesting that prospective students weigh both benefits and challenges.