Data/Computer Science Facts

Key Facts:

• By 2016, current government projections show that more than 800,000 high-end computing jobs will be created in the economy making it one of the fastest growing occupational fields.
• Five of the top ten fastest growing jobs will be in computing-related fields ( i.e., computer software engineer jobs expected to grow 45% over the next five to seven years).
• Computer science and computer engineering bachelor degrees are in high demand and command two of the top three average salary offers from employers among all majors.
• The percent of high schools with rigorous computer science courses fell from 40% to 27% from 2005-2009.
• The percent of high schools with introductory computer science courses fell from 78% to 65% from 2005-2009.
• The majority of states have no certification for computer science teachers; in states where certification or endorsement exists, the requirements may have little, if any, computer science content.
• Only 17% of AP computer science test-takers in 2008 were women , although women represented 55% of all AP test-takers.
• Participation in computer science AP tests among underrepresented minorities has increased in the past 10 years but is only 11%, compared to 19% of all AP test-takers.
• Only 4% of AP Computer Science test takers in 2008 were African Americans, although African Americans represented 7% of all AP test takers.  Only 784 African American students nationwide took the AP Computer Science exam.