One computer science course in high school can boost Gen Z’s future earnings by 8%—regardless of what career path they go down after graduating

Want to up your chances of securing a higher salary straight out of college? The secret might be hidden in your high school schedule.

A new study found that among high school students who take a computer science class, their earnings will be 8% greater on average by the time they’ve secured their first job. 

For low-income, Black, and female students, their salaries could see a 14% raise. 

Moreover, these benefits are in reach no matter one’s career path, according to the researchers from the University of Maryland. 

In 2024, the median annual wage for computer and information technology occupations was $105,990, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. For all workers, the median over half that—at $49,500.

But even outside of tech jobs, having AI skills is becoming a major distinguisher. After all, AI literacy is the fastest growing skill in the U.S., according to LinkedIn.

“Computer science is no longer a niche subject—it’s the connective tissue across nearly every industry shaping our modern economy,” Bethlam Forsa, CEO of Savvas Learning Company, tells Fortune. “It should be looked at as a foundational skill in today’s modern, creative and tech-driven world, similar to reading and math.

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