Student B also might not be an expert in either area of interest. Student A is interested in making mobile apps and websites. Computer scientists work in diverse fields, like information security, video game development, and IT management. Is a Computer Science Degree Right for Me? To get good jobs in this field, you must have an understanding and knowledge of machine languages and be able to log algorithms and statistical models. Anyone who has ever had to deal with a computer virus or malware probably has a healthy respect for the people who create the remedies for these and other related issues. Database administrators analyze and evaluate the data needs of users. Student A may not know which language they want to master, which technology stack they want to work on, or other programming specifics. Survives on cat videos and bad pop music. Data Scientist. Computer science students have a very good chance of landing a nice job within 6 months of graduating. © GoodCore Software Ltd 2020. One of the best things about a career as a computer engineer is the choice and vast career options that are available to you. A bachelor’s degree opens the door to many more computer science career possibilities, including software development, database administration, and computer programming. Computer Science vs Information Technology, Airport House, Purley Way, Croydon CR0 0XZ, Greater London, United Kingdom, Building The Best Software Development Team – 8 Key Roles and Responsibilities, Black Box and White Box Testing: Everything You Need to Know, 10 Crucial Questions to Ask a Software Development Company in 2020. Therefore, career options differ for CS and IT graduates. People who possess these skills can parlay them into a solid career with an even more solid income. The graph depicts the interest of people in both fields of study, measured by comparing how often they were searched on Google. The work environment also usually differs. Most people think IT is easier because it has a narrower scope than CS. Why choose a computer science profession? Computer science is a very broad and easily applicable field, so CS graduates have a great job market to look forward to when graduating. For those looking for a CS degree while working or taking care of a family, other highly-rated online programs are offered at City University of Seattle, Pace University (New York), and Saint Leo University to name just a few. Cyber security analyst 5. With a bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, you gain all the skills necessary for entering the IT job market. The best-prepared web developers learn skills like JavaScript, HTML5, Java, SQL, CSS, and web application development in their university classes. So what are the ingredients of Computer Science? So whether you choose to join a software house or a supermarket, there will always be a need for an IT person. Median Annual Salary: $142,530 Even the highest-paid job becomes drudgery if the job comes with a lot of stress and pain. Additionally, many of the jobs on US News’ Best Tech Jobs list promote job satisfaction, as well as provide a comfortable living for those who hold the job. Description: Also … They direct fellow information technology and computer systems professionals, oversee software and hardware installation, and coordinate technological needs based on budget considerations. Information Technology VS Computer Science: Which Degree Is Right For You? For those who specifically hold an MS in Computer Science, this could translate into salaries as high as $116,000 a year or more. The first question is a simple one. This person helps an organization upgrade its computer systems. Particular job roles include IT consultant, database administrator, games developer, media programmer, network engineer, systems analyst, IT trainer and teacher. Is a computer science degree worth it? CS grads, on the other hand, have a wide range of possibilities for potential workplaces – software houses, businesses, educational institutions etc. Is the U.S. Does the Location of Your Software Development Company Matter in 2020? In addition, a minor in computer science is a great way to give you various career options. What Should I Look for in a Good Computer Science Degree Program? The income of computer science graduates is higher than the median wage. Given how much of people’s personal information is online these days and how many cyberattacks take place, the importance of this STEM job cannot be overstated. Today, we will settle this argument once and for all! There are two important questions that you need to answer honestly before you make your decision. Be the first to rate this post. It’s completely accredited and offers competitive pricing as well as flexible times. What Courses Will Transfer into a Computer Science Degree? For 2019, this is how the search terms ‘Computer Science’ and ‘Information Technology’ fared in the ‘Jobs and Education’ category. For example, if you like swimming but hate cooking, you will definitely find it much easier to learn the former. Programming is the art of speaking to a computer. The work is interesting and varied. Most computer science programs will focus on the elements of programming, information technology, and computer engineering. IT consultant. It should not come as a surprise seeing data scientists on top of the corporate food … Next comes the process of baking itself. Median-range salary is nearly $100,000 per year. VFX artist 20. Computer Systems Analyst. Getting a CS degree is notoriously difficult, but for those who manage to stick it out throughout the course of the program, there are many good things to look forward to. Whereas FinTech once really only applied to trading or banking, it is now used in just about every sector there is, according to Investopedia. But if your concept is crystal clear,  you will surely say. 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Many people with computer science degrees work as programmers or computer systems analysts, helping to build and maintain complex technological systems. These careers and the accompanying salaries on this list certainly make it seem that way. It’s also necessary for the modern game developer to work closely with the game designer. So you have nothing to worry about when it comes to a better salary and job availability. The median salary for a web developer is $73,760, according to the BLS. In order to be a computer scientist, you need to be able to do two things: Let us explain this to you in simpler terms. They deal with the programs and codes that manage the millions of dollars a bank may process in a day. Please click "I accept cookies" to let us know you're okay with our use of A web developer creates and maintains websites. Let us first break down the term ‘Computer Science’ into two. In addition to the flexibility of the degree, there’s a high demand for skilled computer science majors, and the computer science salary can be very high for even entry-level positions. On the other hand, if student B is better at database-related tasks, they would be more likely to go for Information Technology. Whenever a member of an organization faces any technological challenge, who do they call for help? U.S. News & World Report currently rates Carnegie Mellon University as the top-rated CS degree. The advantage of this type of program is that students are ready to hit the ground running once they complete their programs. In terms of upward mobility, those who work in this field have a higher than average chance of moving up in their careers. An important question that comes up in the IT vs Computer Science comparison is: Is IT a branch of CS or are they the same? Those who have the skills to do this job are very likely to land the job, and at the end of the day, the value of education often boils down to what the student is willing to put into it. Computersciencedegreehub.com is an advertising-supported site. That way you can make a change to a new path that isn’t necessarily related to your major. You love technology, science, and maths. Multimedia programmer 14. Tech companies treat their software engineers like KINGS Would you be able to do that if you did not know about the ingredients? One reason behind this is lack of proper research and guidance while they were in high school. When it comes to deciding which one to choose between CS and IT, it simply depends on where your interests lie, the skill set you have, and the education or employment opportunities available to you. Is it still worth it to pursue a degree in computer science even if it’s at a lesser-known university? On the other hand, Information Technology is more devoted to figuring out how to use those applications for solving business problems. You must know how much flour, baking powder, sugar or eggs would go into your cake. Can You Get a Good Job with Only a Bachelor’s in Computer Science? Knowing the recipe is the theoretical part. Average Base Pay: $79,738. The salary will vary according to employer, but starting salaries can range from £21,000–£30,000 per year or more. What is the Average Salary for Someone with a Computer Science Degree? An average salary for a finance programmer is $89,920 (BLS). Cybersecurity Analyst. Computer science is a very large subject with lots of applications. Whether it’s for mobile game apps or console gaming, there is a huge demand for qualified game programmers. Computer engineering is learning how to design and maintain the hardware the keeps computer system working. Penetration tester 15. 5 Cheapest Associate in Computer Science Degrees Online, Top 10 Best Online Master’s in Computer Science Degree Programs, Top 50 Bachelor’s in Computer Science Degree Programs. If you have the skills and know-how to work in the industry, then computer science may be the career path that you wish to follow. For example, when game developer students are asked to take classes in subjects like English literature, character archetypes, and storytelling, it is with the understanding that the technical side of video gaming is nothing without a story. However, they do have a fair idea about their interests. Salary and degrees don’t mean much to people who hate their jobs. Working in partnership with clients, an IT consultant advises clients on the planning, … Pro Tip: Go to Tool>Select Within 24 Hours, past week etc . Considering the name of this field, it is quite clear that a large part of this field is heavily reliant on data. Computer science focuses on the efficient development of applications. We will soon delve into the specifics of the discussion on Information Technology versus Computer Science. While there are many pros and cons of a computer science degree, the pros far outweigh the cons, particularly for those who are willing to get an advanced degree in computer science. The degree allows them to tailor their studies toward the industries they’re most interested in working in once they graduate. Employers don’t care much about what you study, CS or IT. Candidates from top notch engineering colleges however get attractive job … Many of those who pick the latter from CS vs IT do so because IT jobs don’t require advanced programming expertise or theoretical knowledge. Booming IT sector in India has plenty of jobs for fresh computer science graduates. Also on the list are software developers, web developers, and IT managers. There are tons of jobs open for both majors. You mix all the ingredients into a batter and put it into the oven. This brings us to our second point: What are they good at? Do I Have to be Good at Algorithms to Get a Computer Science Degree? The best candidates for a CS degree would be those who have a deep interest and passion for computing as it is an incredibly difficult major for those not comfortable with computers or technology. Various studies suggest that many students are unable to decide their field of study before they enter university. If you don't you will have a miserable time in college and will flunk out. Employers typically expect computer and information research scientists to hold a master’s degree at a minimum. Suppose you want to bake a cake. Being a programmer for a finance firm can be a stressful job, but the pay is the reward. Some particular jobs are better suited for IT graduates. The person who does this job deals with cybersecurity threats, computer bugs, and all manner of computer maladies. Let’s break things down and make it easier for you to decide. Many master’s degrees in CS today provide students with experiential learning. Job Prospects. So, is this degree track worth it? It’s an exciting time for technology, and it’s sure to only get more interesting in the future. According to Career Builder, almost 40% of employers now want employees who have advanced degrees. You may think that this is a big enough reason to start your career in the computer industry. SEO specialist 16. We will talk about the major differences between Computer Science and Information Technology, as well as how these two are similar to each other. No matter which area of study you engage with, there will always be work. These are the key differences between their course contents: There is also a difference between the job opportunities available for graduates of the two majors. Software engineer 17. Computer Science is an outstanding career path right now, and if you’re going to a decent school in terms of the Computer Science program, you will have companies chasing you after graduation if you’re in a mid-sized or large city. On the other hand, a CS degree can be very difficult and many end up dropping out because of this. 25 years old. They love their careers, so they stay in them for a long time. A finance programmer deals with the constantly changing world of bank transactions. After some time, your cake will be ready to eat! As such, it’s useful to cover what each of these game professionals might contribute to the creation of a game. This question is often part of the classic “Computer Science vs Information Technology” debate. Information systems manager 11. The median salary for the IT manager is just over $82,000 a year (BLS). How Do Employers View an Online Computer Science Degree? These courses deals with topics like visual effects, animation, 3D technology, … No votes so far! Here is an example. And so is the learning. Several professional organisations, such as Selex, offer specialised positions for Computer Science graduates. Students entering these programs should inquire about how program graduates are using their degrees. That’s right – an IT professional. It is generally well-respected by universities. Massachusetts Institute of Technology is also one of the most prestigious technology schools for a reason; their CS program has consistently been applauded as one of the best in the country. Additionally, many people who have computer science degrees go on to satisfying careers with long-term career prospects. From Bricks to Brains: The Evolution of the Cell Phone, Of Cops and Cookies: How Police Are Using Computers to Solve Crimes. If Student A is skilled at coding, they could easily choose Computer Science as their major. According to an official report by BLS, the average annual salary for both system and application software developers was over USD 100,000 in mid-2018. Much like Computer Science, the field of Information Technology is also highly rewarding in terms of monetary compensation. Job prospects for these professionals are expected to rise by 13% through the year 2028. What should they do in this situation? Computer scientists design new software, solve computing problems and develop different ways to use technology. As such, it’s helpful to provide an overview of some of the classes game designers and game developers might take. Games developer 10. all cookies. As we discussed in our IT vs Computer Science debate, there is not much of a difference between IT and Computer Science. CS graduates are better at other jobs that are specifically for them. This is what your life would look like if you picked Information Technology: Let’s look at the CS vs IT debate through numbers to better understand their trend of popularity worldwide. Computer scientist and content creator by day, struggling musician by night. Many times, the degree programs associated with these jobs have coursework that overlaps. Once we grasp the meaning of science, it will become much easier for us to explain what Computer Science means. In addition to the flexibility of the degree, there’s a high demand for skilled computer science majors, and the computer science salary can be very high for even entry-level positions. It does not focus much on the programming aspect, unlike CS. There’s prestige for being able to stick it out through a tough degree, a job market that’s actively searching for CS majors, and competitive pay even for entry-level positions. In some settings, there is no differentiation between the designer and the developer. Forensic computer analyst 8. This field is difficult, with knowledge of complex math a necessity. Additionally, an advanced degree comes with more job stability overall. While it is true that many of the pros and cons that mark the computer science bachelor’s degree program can also be present in a master-level program, the pros far outweigh the cons. That is how Computer Science works too. That’s one reason why US News and World Report ranks computer programmer as tenth on its Best Technology Jobs list. Many of those who pick the latter from CS vs IT do so because IT jobs don’t require advanced programming expertise or theoretical knowledge. You can think of yourself as a troubleshooter. Unlike IT, Computer Science is based on a lot of mathematics, computation theory, and concrete programming concepts. Game designer 9. IT students learn how to solve business problems by using technical resources efficiently. It is advised that only those interested in the science itself, not just the money, pursue a degree in computer science. The truth is many people have bachelor’s degrees today, and while these degrees still have value, an advanced degree can give a job seeker an edge. They’re already accustomed to solving difficult computer science problems in the classroom.