Why Students Choose Computer Science | NIT & IIT Insights

Find out why students pick Computer Science beyond salary — real insights from NIT and IIT students on freedom, opportunities, and future-ready careers.

ACUTEMAP LEARNING ARTICLES

7/12/20254 min read

💻 Why Everyone Wants Computer Science in Engineering? The Real Reasons Behind the Craze!

Whenever you ask an engineering aspirant which branch they want to choose, most of them will instantly say — Computer Science Engineering (CSE)!

People often think that students run behind CSE only because of the money. While salary is surely a big attraction, there are many deeper, more practical reasons behind this craze that every parent and student should know.

If you're someone guiding a cousin, a younger sibling, or your own child, it's important to understand why everyone seems to be obsessed with CSE.

💰 The obvious factor: Money

Let’s talk about the elephant in the room first — money.

When we spoke to a few students directly from NIT Raipur and some top IITs, they shared interesting insights. Many CSE students mentioned that they received offers around ₹25 lakh per year.

Some students who didn’t even take campus placements managed to get packages ranging from ₹20–₹30 lakh through off-campus opportunities and startups.

Overall, they said that if we calculate an average, it generally comes around ₹14 lakh per year, which is still significantly higher compared to many other branches.

But money is just the beginning of the story.

🌎 The world runs on tech

These days, it’s not just IT companies that need programmers. Almost every industry requires software and technology experts — healthcare, finance, agriculture, transport, education, and even entertainment.

A strong foundation in Computer Science doesn’t just teach coding; it builds logical thinking, problem-solving, and the ability to design solutions that affect millions of people.

Because of this widespread demand, companies are always looking for skilled software engineers, and the jobs are not going away anytime soon.

🏠 Freedom through remote work

After COVID-19, remote working or hybrid models have become the norm, especially in the tech industry.

Most Computer Science graduates can work from home or anywhere they like, which gives them more freedom to spend time with family, pursue hobbies, and avoid long commutes.

In fact, many students choose CSE specifically for this reason — they want a work-life balance that other traditional engineering roles often don’t offer.

💡 Startups and entrepreneurship dreams

Computer Science also opens the doors to entrepreneurship.

Students with strong programming and technical skills can start their own companies, launch apps, develop SaaS products, or freelance globally.

Some prefer to create side projects that generate passive income while they still hold a job. In today’s world, you don’t always need a huge office or a big team to start something big — just an internet connection and strong coding skills.

🔥 A skill set that works everywhere

Even if you don’t want to work in software companies, computer science skills are needed everywhere.

You might join a mechanical or civil engineering company, but having knowledge of data analysis, automation, and programming makes you stand out from the crowd and increases your value to employers.

Many students from other branches later join programming bootcamps and online courses to learn what a CSE student already knows from day one.

🏆 Prestige and recognition

Getting into CSE at a top college is a matter of pride.

When a student secures a seat in CSE at NIT Raipur or an IIT, it immediately becomes a talking point among family and friends. People see it as proof of talent and hard work, which makes it even more attractive to young aspirants.

🌐 Opportunities beyond India

CSE students are not restricted to Indian companies.

They can work for multinational corporations, get remote jobs from the US, Europe, and other regions, or go abroad for higher studies and research.

Some even manage to get on-site opportunities, where they earn in dollars or euros and live abroad temporarily.

🚀 The life-changing edge

Knowledge of computer science extends far beyond college or career.

Imagine being able to automate your home, build your own websites, or secure your devices against online threats — all of this comes naturally to someone who understands tech deeply.

It helps improve productivity, makes daily life easier, and opens doors to creativity.

🤝 Confidence and independence

With CSE, you’re not fully dependent on a company.

You can build your own projects, start freelance consulting, or develop products that can change your life (and potentially the world). This gives a unique sense of independence and confidence.

💬 Conclusion: Why CSE is more than just a "money branch"

Computer Science Engineering is not just about the high salary packages.

Yes, the money is good — many NIT Raipur students we talked to said they received offers around ₹25 lakh, and even those who didn't participate in college placements managed to secure ₹20–₹30 lakh roles outside. But the real reasons go much deeper:

✅ The freedom to work from anywhere.
✅ Opportunities to build your own startup or side projects.
✅ High demand across every industry, not just IT.
✅ Strong personal development in logic and problem-solving.
✅ Global opportunities and flexibility.
✅ Prestige and social recognition.
✅ Skills that make life simpler and more efficient.

So, if you’re a student (or guiding one), remember: choose CSE not just for money but for the endless opportunities and the freedom it offers.