Should I get a masters in Computer Science?

If you're just graduated from college with a computer science degree, do yourself a favor and enter the job market now. Do not go back and get a masters degree.

Why? Because this puts you at least two years behind your peers when it comes to gaining real-world workplace experience and puts you at least twice as much debt.

Instead, consider going to get your masters part time when you become a mid-level developer. This will give you a better idea of what you really like to do and you can tailor your degree toward that experience. You may prefer to target AI/ML, Cybersecurity or Project Management instead of continuing on with Computer Science as you learn more about what you enjoy at your job.

[matinengleahy]

You should preface this by saying, “don’t get a masters in computer science, if you already have an undergraduate degree in computer science”. A masters in computer science still sounds like a great pathway if your undergraduate is in another field and you want to change careers.

[Scorbffeghy]

Some employers will cover education expenses. I think it’s worth taking advantage of if you are in that circumstance.

[MountainPerson]

“Not right out of college” is the key phrase

[salvatoreshiggerino]

Even skip college altogether if you can get away with it. Getting that first job is going to be significantly harder, but if you succeed that's worth $30, 000. And in my experience it's only when you have a Ph.D. that you can earn significantly more, but even then, is it enough to get ahead with all that debt?

[briancase]

I think it matters exactly what you plan to do. But I don't disagree that if your goal is more research-y, then consider strongly getting your PhD. If you want to write code...then just go write code. On the other hand, there's very little that can give you the perspective that being a graduate student can give you. Also, when I went to graduate school, they paid me to go.... So, I didn't accumulate any debt. I guess if you can score well enough on the GRE (do they still use that?), It can be an easy decision.

[kevinmadrid]

I completely Agree. That's the path that I took and I have worked at companies such as Oracle, IBM and HP. Great advice!

[matthewfeatherston]

I am so glad I was able to waited on trying for a master's degree.... I have three years of software development and I am just now starting to apply to grad school... Take McBeth's advice and wait... After gaining real world experience, I can actually apply a master's degree to our actual project and well having the hands on (I think) will help me out in the long run

[cccccc]

Ok, got your point. Not right out of college, but right now I could be consider a mid level dev. I don't have a degree in CS, have learned some of the basics myself (DSA, software design) and would love to feel the gaps. Is it worth it now? More important, more worth it than a CS degree?

[Idlehampster]

I'm glad I heard you out, because you are exactly right. I'm beginning my masters 2 years after my bs and job experience, and still I think it was a little soon. But, I'm making 90k and work is paying my $50k masters in full.

[mjhearn]

I got an undergraduate degree in computer science in 2019 then took 2 years off to do missionary work. When I got back to Boston in 2022 all I could get was entry level IT work. I couldn't even get an interview for a junior developer role anywhere, it doesn't matter how much leetcode you do if you can't even land a technical interview. I have only gotten about 5 first stage interviews the entire time I've been in Boston.

[mojjammil]

Right on point.

I started my career in Software Development in 2019 as self taught dev as I have Bachelor’s in Business Administration. I live in Finland where I thankfully don’t have to pay tuition. As I was fighting with imposter syndrome for years because of not having CS degree, I decided to apply for one where I can either study in Applied Computing or AI. Working as mid level SW Engineer, does investing time for Master’s while working make sense in your opinion for me?

[dynamo]

i was arguing with the lady who wrote cracking the coding interview about this on quora lol. she was convinced that it doesn't matter. i googled people that actually worked at google and the disproportionately had advanced degrees once you get to the higher levels. she tried to tell me Well "higher achievers achieve higher". I'm like Well, if your goal is to higher achieve in the job world why would you waste your time doing that when it doesn't matter?

anecdotally i know but the people i know with advanced degrees in CS make multiple times of me. you just don't see many people with only a bachelors degree at the top nowadays. or if they did it took them like 30 years experience to get there.

it is kind of stupid to me because the actual shit you learn in college has almost nothing to do with what you will actually be asked to program. it's just a 500 year old system with way too much inertia behind it.

that said as someone who it took me like 8 years to escape undergrad hell, there's no way i'm ever going back.

[gothicyid]

I don't have a bachelor's of computer science. I can go for a masters in computer engineering to break into the field but is it worth it?

[grandadmiralthrawn]

My employer is fully funding my CS master's, and I only have a non-CS STEM bachelor's. It was either a CS master's or a CS post-bacc for me.

[Gassseduptv]

So basically, it comes down to debt... I'm finishing up my BA using the GI Bill, but I also have VR&E. Long term, I'm not sure what I want to do professionally but I love tech. Since my debt at the end will be zero I guess I should continue???

[jaysonkmendoza]

I think the most important point you made was that MA is about specalization and choosing to pursue that degree must be driven by a good reason. A lot of kids graduating really don't know what they want to do with their life and that is ok. If this is you I take from it that you should roll up your sleves and get in the industry first and let some passion or opportunity informed by your experiences drive you to further specalize in the future with a MA to achieve a career goal now that you have settled on a progression. The other reason for going onto a MA would be because you like to research and/or teach and would like a PhD. Going for a MA simply because you want a higher wage is a misunderstanding of how companies value education. As Ryan says a company value's you based on what you can do now, not what you might be able to do in the future. This is why your experiences reign supreme on the job hunt. Education is used to unlock your potential by providing you new theoretical 'tools' but only experience in using those tools give it value. This is the practical application of that toolset and your quality of experience is how well you can use those tools to produce valuable work. Therefore adding more tools that you don't have the experience to effectivly use is not valuble to a company today. Once you have a BCS you have the best 'general theoritical toolset' to start gaining experience. Go for a masters when you think you need more specalized theorietical tools to meet your goals and if possible find a company interested in investing in you to get through that process.

[forthewubwubs]

I'm getting my masters in computer science but luckily the VA is paying for it so debt isn't a big concern for me. I also don't mind being put in a lower position and working my way up, I know I want to be team leader or something along those lines but I also want to earn my keep so to speak. I'm sure if someone didn't have the same resources that I do it would be more of a hinderance than a blessing for them to attain their MS.

[kenreynolds]

Older Mech Eng here. EXACTLY the same story. Get your company to pay for the Masters if you want it, otherwise a challenging and successful project on your resume is worth way more. Also, swap employers on the upswing. I make way more than guys who started with the company unless they climbed the management chain. Now that pensions aren't a thing, there is no loyalty bonus.

[sourabhkulkarni]

I really appreciate your honesty and for explaining the consequences in such simple examples.

[yoshionimusha]

do you mind if I ever post this video on reddit and ask something like, “this guy makes an argument to not get a master’s degree in CS, do you guys agree or not?”

if wont take much time for me and a minute here and there might help your channel grow more. if you prefer not, then no problem! i will still love your channel! just wanted permission from you first.