Replit CEO says Computer Science degree will not give you loads of money at Google
Replit CEO Amjad Masad says students should not choose computer science just for high-paying Google jobs. He believes passion matters more now as AI changes the tech hiring market.
For years, computer science was seen as one of the safest ways to land a high-paying job in Big Tech. Study coding, get into a top company, and build a secure future — that was the common belief. But Replit CEO Amjad Masad now says students should rethink that mindset, especially if money is the only reason they are choosing the field.
Speaking on the "20VC" podcast, Masad said computer science should not be pursued just because people believe it leads to huge salaries at companies like Google. According to him, students who are not naturally interested in coding or how computers work may be entering the wrong career path.
"If you don't feel like you're drawn to it like a fly drawn to a light, then don't go into it because someone told you you're going to make a boatload of money working for Google," he said. He added, "It's pretty dumb to tell people to go into computer science if they're not really intrinsically interested in it."
Masad's comments come at a time when AI is changing the tech industry quickly. Tasks that once required junior developers or entry-level coders can now be handled faster with AI tools, raising questions about whether traditional computer science degrees still guarantee the same career rewards as before.
AI has changed the old money formula
Masad explained that in the early 2000s, many people entered computer science because they genuinely loved programming and wanted to understand how computers worked. Later, the subject became extremely popular because it was seen as one of the easiest ways to make strong money in the modern economy.
He said university computer science departments expanded rapidly as demand grew. But with the rise of AI, that easy-money path may no longer exist in the same way.
Still, Masad made it clear that the field itself remains valuable for people who truly care about it. He said students who are passionate about technology can still build strong careers in areas such as machine learning, AI research, or advanced software development.
"Now, if you're interested in it, there's still ways to contribute. You could get into ML and AI and go work at the big labs or a company like ours," he said.
Why a CS degree still matters
Even while warning against joining the field only for money, Masad said core computer science skills remain important. He noted that subjects like data structures and algorithms still matter because they form the foundation of how software works.
Other tech leaders have also defended the long-term value of a CS education. Venture capitalist and Affirm CEO Max Levchin recently said that writing great code is a creative skill, and AI cannot fully replace that craftsmanship.
“I don't think the LLMs are going to naturally always deliver beautifully crafted, elegant, and yet scientifically correct code,” Levchin said.
AI pioneer Geoffrey Hinton also said recently that people misunderstand what computer science really teaches. According to him, it is not just about writing code but also about learning systems thinking and solving complex problems.
For years, computer science was seen as one of the safest ways to land a high-paying job in Big Tech. Study coding, get into a top company, and build a secure future — that was the common belief. But Replit CEO Amjad Masad now says students should rethink that mindset, especially if money is the only reason they are choosing the field.
Speaking on the "20VC" podcast, Masad said computer science should not be pursued just because people believe it leads to huge salaries at companies like Google. According to him, students who are not naturally interested in coding or how computers work may be entering the wrong career path.
"If you don't feel like you're drawn to it like a fly drawn to a light, then don't go into it because someone told you you're going to make a boatload of money working for Google," he said. He added, "It's pretty dumb to tell people to go into computer science if they're not really intrinsically interested in it."
Masad's comments come at a time when AI is changing the tech industry quickly. Tasks that once required junior developers or entry-level coders can now be handled faster with AI tools, raising questions about whether traditional computer science degrees still guarantee the same career rewards as before.
AI has changed the old money formula
Masad explained that in the early 2000s, many people entered computer science because they genuinely loved programming and wanted to understand how computers worked. Later, the subject became extremely popular because it was seen as one of the easiest ways to make strong money in the modern economy.
He said university computer science departments expanded rapidly as demand grew. But with the rise of AI, that easy-money path may no longer exist in the same way.
Still, Masad made it clear that the field itself remains valuable for people who truly care about it. He said students who are passionate about technology can still build strong careers in areas such as machine learning, AI research, or advanced software development.
"Now, if you're interested in it, there's still ways to contribute. You could get into ML and AI and go work at the big labs or a company like ours," he said.
Why a CS degree still matters
Even while warning against joining the field only for money, Masad said core computer science skills remain important. He noted that subjects like data structures and algorithms still matter because they form the foundation of how software works.
Other tech leaders have also defended the long-term value of a CS education. Venture capitalist and Affirm CEO Max Levchin recently said that writing great code is a creative skill, and AI cannot fully replace that craftsmanship.
“I don't think the LLMs are going to naturally always deliver beautifully crafted, elegant, and yet scientifically correct code,” Levchin said.
AI pioneer Geoffrey Hinton also said recently that people misunderstand what computer science really teaches. According to him, it is not just about writing code but also about learning systems thinking and solving complex problems.
