US Computer Science Course Enrollment Declines for First Time in Nearly 20 Years

A study by Stanford Hoover Institution economist Jacob Light reveals that US university enrollment in computer science courses has declined for the 2025-2026 academic year, marking the first drop in nearly two decades. Data from the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center also shows an 8.1% year-over-year decrease in undergraduate enrollment in computer and information sciences for Fall 2025. This shift ends a decade-long boom in computer science education driven by high demand for software engineers, reflecting potential changes in student perceptions of the tech job market. The decline coincides with the rapid rise of generative AI, which has raised questions about the long-term value of traditional coding degrees. The study analyzed over 50 million course enrollments across 1,019 US colleges since 1996, finding an average year-over-year decline of 4.6% in computer science course enrollment. Researchers note that while the drop aligns with the rise of AI, it cannot be definitively proven as the sole cause, as other factors like a weakening entry-level job market and competition from data science also play a role.