U.S. universities are seeing declining demand for computer science as students opt for AI

According to the San Francisco Chronicle, the University of California campuses collectively experienced a 6% drop in computer science applications over the past year, following a 3% decline in 2024. This trend stands in contrast to the overall 2% growth in U.S. student enrollment, as reported by the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center in January. The University of San Diego was the only exception within the UC system, having launched a dedicated artificial intelligence major.

At first glance, the waning interest in computer science might seem related to employment challenges for graduates. However, the data suggests a structural shift: students aren’t abandoning tech altogether but migrating toward AI-focused programs. An October survey by the Computing Research Association found that 62% of computer science departments reported decreased undergraduate enrollment, while AI programs are rapidly expanding.

MIT reports that «AI and Decision-Making» has become their second most popular major. The University of South Florida enrolled more than 3,000 students in the first semester of its new AI and Cybersecurity College. The University of Buffalo launched an «AI and Society» department with seven specialized programs, receiving more than 200 applications before officially opening. By 2026, separate AI degree programs are planned at several schools, including University of Southern California, Columbia University, Pace University and New Mexico State University. This represents a migration within the tech field rather than an exodus from it.

China presents a striking contrast. According to MIT Technology Review, many Chinese universities are integrating AI into education: roughly 60% of students and faculty report using AI tools multiple times per day. Zhejiang University has made certain AI courses mandatory, and Tsinghua University has established an interdisciplinary AI college. In China, AI proficiency is viewed as a fundamental skill rather than a supplementary one.

In the U.S., AI adoption in universities remains uneven. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chancellor Lee Roberts notes that faculty are divided: some actively incorporate AI into teaching, while others keep their distance. The university’s merger of two departments to create an AI-focused structure and the introduction of a vice-provost position for AI faced resistance from some faculty members.

Parental influence also plays a role in students' choices. College admissions consultant David Reinaldo observes that families who once pushed applicants toward computer science now increasingly recommend fields perceived as more «automation-resistant,» such as mechanical or electrical engineering. However, students themselves are betting on AI as the more promising specialization.