Tech Layoffs vs. Job Growth (Hiring Trends & ROI)
Technology layoffs and technology job growth can occur at the same time: companies cut some roles while employers in other fields hire for different skills. To judge whether a degree is worth its cost, compare specific occupations, local entry-level demand, program completion odds, and total net cost. National growth forecasts offer context, not a promise of a job.
If you are weighing a technology degree, a stream of layoff headlines can make the evidence feel contradictory. One company may cut staff while job postings remain open elsewhere. Both facts can be true, but neither tells you whether a particular program is a good investment.
In my work interpreting education data, I find that the key is to separate company news from occupation-level trends. Then connect those trends to a real academic plan: what you will pay, whether you can finish, and what jobs graduates actually pursue.
How to read technology layoffs and hiring trends
Layoffs measure job cuts reported by companies or tracked by a particular source. Hiring trends measure job gains, openings, or employer demand, often across a wider group. These measures do not cover the same workers, time frames, or industries, so a rise in one does not disprove the other.
A layoff announcement is usually tied to a company, location, and point in time. It may involve a certain team or job type, not every technology occupation. Likewise, a national projection may count jobs across many industries, not only at software or technology firms.
Before comparing figures, ask:
- Who is counted? A technology company’s employees are not the same group as all workers in computer occupations.
- What is measured? Layoffs, job openings, hires, and projected employment change are different measures.
- What is the time frame? Monthly reports can shift quickly; long-term projections smooth out short-term change.
- What is the geography? National demand may not match hiring near your campus or where you plan to work.
As a result, use layoff data to understand risk and change, not to estimate your personal chance of getting hired. Use occupation data to compare career paths, then check whether employers in your target region hire new graduates.
What occupation-level data says about technology jobs
Occupation-level data tracks workers by the work they do, not just by the industry that employs them. This matters because software developers and information security analysts work in many sectors, including finance, government, health care, and manufacturing, as well as technology companies.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) offers a useful starting point. Its 2023–33 projections estimate employment growth across the U.S. economy. The wage figures below are national medians for May 2023, not starting salaries or guarantees.
| Occupation | BLS projected change, 2023–33 | Median annual pay, May 2023 | What to check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software developers | 17% growth | $132,270 | Local entry-level openings, required skills, and experience |
| Information security analysts | 33% growth | $120,360 | Experience expectations and possible certification needs |
| Computer support specialists | 3% decline | $60,810 | Differences among support roles and paths to advancement |
Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook and employment projections. BLS projections cover occupations across industries; they do not predict hiring at a specific company or for a specific graduate.
These numbers show why “tech jobs” is too broad a category for a college decision. A high projected growth rate does not mean an easy first job. BLS notes that information security analysts typically need a bachelor’s degree and related work experience. A student may need to build experience through internships, IT work, or other relevant roles before competing for some analyst positions.
Pay also needs context. A national median includes workers at different career stages and in different regions. It is not a reliable estimate of a new graduate’s salary. Compare local postings and employer requirements, and note whether a job asks for experience even when the occupation is growing.
Choose a program by role, not by the word “technology”
A degree title does not tell you which job you will qualify for. Start by naming two or three roles, such as software developer, cybersecurity analyst, or IT support specialist, and compare their entry requirements before choosing a program.
For each role, review BLS descriptions and current job postings in the region where you want to work. Record common degree requirements, skills, experience, and certifications. Postings are not a perfect measure of demand, but they help test whether a national trend matches local entry-level hiring.
Then compare programs on evidence, not marketing language:
- Check current institutional accreditation in the U.S. Department of Education’s Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP). Confirm that the accrediting agency is recognized by the Department or CHEA. CHEA recognizes accreditors; it does not accredit colleges.
- Review the curriculum for skills tied to your target roles, such as programming, networks, databases, or security, depending on the path.
- Look for internships, co-ops, capstones, and employer projects. Ask what students must do to qualify and how many actually take part.
- Request graduate outcome data. Ask who was counted, how many responded, when outcomes were measured, and what share worked in a related field.
Check programmatic accreditation where it applies. ABET accredits some computing programs; whether it is relevant depends on the program and occupation. Lack of ABET accreditation alone does not prove a computing program is poor. Verify the specific program and campus rather than relying on a general claim about the institution.
Check admissions, credits, and time to finish
Completion likelihood affects the value of a degree because cost and time can rise if credits do not transfer or required courses delay graduation. A U.S. bachelor’s degree commonly requires about 120 semester credits, and an associate degree about 60, but each catalog sets its own rules.
Review the current admission requirements directly with each school. GPA expectations, prerequisites, test policies, and holistic review vary. If you are transferring, get a written credit evaluation before enrolling. Ask which credits count toward the major, not only toward general electives.
Read the degree plan for major courses, general education, residency rules, prerequisites, and capstone or internship requirements. Quarter-credit totals differ from semester-credit totals, so do not compare credit counts without checking the system. Confirm when required courses are offered; a course scheduled only once a year can affect your completion date.
Your plan should show more than the number of credits. Estimate terms to completion, likely course load, and what happens if you need to repeat a course or pause study. These details help you compare the real cost of two offers.
Compare net cost, support, and completion risk
Net cost is the amount you expect to pay after grants and scholarships, before deciding whether expected earnings justify it. Use each college’s net price calculator, then check aid rules, fees, renewal conditions, and likely borrowing. A low sticker price can still be costly if you need extra terms to finish.
Include direct costs such as tuition, fees, books, and equipment. Also consider time out of the workforce, commuting, and the risk of added terms. These costs vary by student, so state your assumptions rather than treating one estimate as universal.
Check IPEDS for comparable institution data, such as completion rates, while remembering that reported rates may cover defined student groups and may not describe your own chances. Ask each program how it supports students in math, programming, and other demanding courses. Tutoring, advising, course access, and internship support may affect whether you finish on time.
Be cautious with advertised salaries or placement rates. Ask for the underlying cohort size, response rate, job relevance, and earnings method. A salary figure from a small group of respondents may not describe the full graduating class.
Estimate career outcomes and degree return
Return on investment (ROI) compares the likely benefits of an education with its full cost. For a student, a practical estimate should include net program cost, completion odds, time to finish, borrowing, and credible employment evidence, rather than relying on a broad salary claim.
Use this sequence:
- Set the target: Choose two or three occupations and review BLS wages, projected change, typical entry requirements, and local job postings.
- Estimate the full cost: Include tuition, fees, living or travel costs that change because of study, borrowing, and income you may give up.
- Check completion and outcomes: Review institutional data, cohort definitions, response rates, and the share of graduates employed in a related role.
- Compare alternatives: Consider a lower-cost public program, a transfer route, an associate degree with a planned transfer, or work experience plus targeted training.
- Recheck before enrolling: Confirm aid, transfer credits, course availability, and current hiring conditions.
Do not treat BLS national projections as an individual employment forecast. Nor should you assume that a degree causes a particular salary: location, experience, skills, and the role itself all matter. A program can still be a sound choice, but its case should rest on transparent costs and outcomes.
Illustrative student scenarios
These scenarios show how to apply the evidence. They are examples, not reports about named schools or real graduates. The point is to compare decision factors, not to predict a specific student’s result.
| Student situation | Evidence to weigh | Useful next step |
|---|---|---|
| A high school student choosing between computing programs | Net price, completion data, curriculum, internships, and local junior-role postings | Compare total costs and ask each program for outcome methods |
| A transfer student with prior credits | Credit applicability, prerequisites, residency rules, and time to degree | Obtain a written credit evaluation before accepting an offer |
| A career changer considering cybersecurity | BLS outlook, experience requirements, entry-level postings, and opportunity cost | Check whether IT support or an internship can build relevant experience |
A growth forecast may make an occupation worth exploring, but the program still needs to fit your budget, strengths, and timeline. If local postings mostly ask for prior experience, include a realistic plan for gaining it.
Conclusion: make the decision with comparable evidence
The clearest answer comes from linking three kinds of evidence: job trends for a specific occupation, program-level evidence about cost and completion, and transparent graduate outcomes. Layoff headlines matter, but they cannot replace this comparison.
Before you commit, verify accreditation, transfer credits, total net cost, time to degree, and how the school measures employment outcomes. Then revisit your target role and local hiring evidence. That process cannot guarantee a job, but it can make your decision more informed and less dependent on a single alarming headline or optimistic projection.
Frequently asked questions
These answers distinguish national labor data from program results and individual outcomes. Use them as a quick screen, then verify details with BLS, the institution, and current employers in your target area.
Do technology layoffs mean technology jobs are disappearing?
No. Company cuts can occur while employment grows in some occupations or industries. Check the job type, location, and time frame behind each figure.
Can technology companies lay off workers while hiring continues?
Yes. One employer may reduce staff while other employers hire, or a company may cut some roles and recruit for others. The figures can cover different groups.
Are BLS growth projections a promise of a job?
No. They are national estimates for an occupation over a set period. They do not guarantee local openings, entry-level hiring, or employment for a graduate.
Which technology careers should I compare?
Start with two or three specific roles that fit your interests, such as software development, information security, or IT support. Compare entry requirements, local postings, and program costs.
Is a computer science degree worth the cost?
It depends on the program’s net cost, your chance of finishing, the roles you target, and credible employment evidence. A degree title alone cannot establish its return.
Should I choose a program with the highest salary claim?
Not without checking the data. Ask how many graduates were counted, how many responded, whether jobs were related to the degree, and how earnings were measured.
Does ABET accreditation matter for every computing degree?
No. It applies to some programs and is not a universal quality test for all computing degrees. Verify whether the specific program’s accreditation is relevant to your goals.
What should a transfer student check first?
Get a written review of which credits apply to the degree and major. Also check prerequisites, residency rules, remaining course availability, and the likely time to finish.
How can I compare a degree with a certification or work experience?
Compare total cost and time with the requirements in current job postings for your target role. Check whether employers ask for a degree, experience, specific skills, or a credential.
Which sources are most useful for this decision?
Use BLS for occupation wages and projections, DAPIP for institutional accreditation, IPEDS for institution data, and the college for program costs and graduate outcomes. Verify each source’s definitions and dates.
(This article was written by one of our staff writers, Kevin Marlowe. Visit our Meet the Team page.)
