Stanford University reports decline in computer science graduates

Stanford University reported a nearly 14 percent decrease in undergraduate computer science bachelor degrees conferred in 2026, a drop of 70 students compared to the previous year. While Stanford computer science chair Mehran Sahami noted that such fluctuations represent “natural variation” and that computing skills will remain in demand, the decline mirrors a broader national trend.

According to an analysis from The Washington Post, nationwide enrollment in computer science majors has dropped by 8 percent. Factors contributing to this decline include widespread layoffs at major technology firms such as Meta, Amazon, and Oracle, which has forced recent graduates to compete with mid-career professionals. Additionally, the rise of artificial intelligence is changing the landscape, as AI is increasingly used to write code.

A Census Bureau research paper highlighted that graduates in “AI-exposed” fields, including computer science, have seen labor market outcomes deteriorate more significantly following the introduction of ChatGPT. The study found that these graduates are less likely to find employment and more likely to enter lower-paying roles, with economist Lee Tucker describing the shifts as being “on the order of what previous literature has suggested would occur in a large recession.”