Computer science enrollment fell for the first time in 20 years
8 hours ago
- Computer science enrollment declined for the first time in roughly two decades in the 2025-26 academic year.
- Enrollment in Computer and Information Sciences at four-year colleges fell 8.1% year over year in fall 2025.
- The decline coincides with the rapid adoption of generative AI like ChatGPT, but the data does not prove AI caused it.
- Stanford economist Jacob Light's research shows a 4.6% year-over-year drop in CS enrollment at the average school, with share falling 6.3 percentage points.
- Five possible explanations include a weaker job market, uncertainty about CS degree value in the AI era, weaker academic preparation, demographic changes, and expansion of competing fields.
- Despite the decline, enrollment remains above 2022 levels, suggesting the drop follows years of rapid growth.