It seems like in the millennium, everyone under 30 is a techie. Tales of Silicone Valley wunderkinds and college-dropout billionaires may give you the impression that a CS degree is an unnecessary expense. However, all that knowledge also means that there’s also a lot of competition. Here three reasons why a computer science degree is a good investment in your future.

Formal Study Still Carries Weight

Many self-taught people who’ve climbed the ranks on merit can tell you that having that piece of paper still matters. Not only does it show that you’ve been properly trained in a well-rounded academic atmosphere, it also shows that you have the temperament, determination and intelligence to apply yourself and follow through with a long-term commitment.

Having a four-year degree opens up a larger field of potential employment, including academia, research and management. However, the best paying careers are in development. The employment outlook continues to grow for formally trained computer professionals. Only 4% of graduates are still unemployed within six months of graduation.

It’s Universal

Computers are ingrained in every industry and nearly every facet of life. The tech filed is also populated by one of the most diverse collections of people of any industry. That gives computer scientists exposure to different cultures and approaches. Because computing languages and protocols are universal, that also means that you have a chance to travel or even relocate to another country in the course of your career. There are study abroad opportunities while you’re still in school.

Salaries Are Often Determined by Education, Not Experience

The fact is, a college graduate has a higher starting pay rate than a non-graduate, even if that non-grad has experience. Computer science graduates with bachelor’s degrees even have higher starting salaries than professionals with degrees in other fields. Those with CS degrees have great growth potential as well. If they start at %60,000 per year, which is the most current available figure for the national average, their salaries can expect to climb to $100,000 within four year after graduation.

Getting ahead in the tech world takes a combination of talent, experience and education. College also gives you a built-in professional network of professors and alumni to draw on when you need referrals or connections. If you’re interested in getting you computer science degree in Texas, schools like Texas A&M University-Commerce have a very good curriculum.