Hundreds of CEOs Urge States to Require Computer Science for High School Graduation
More than 500 business leaders, including the CEOs of Uber, Microsoft, American Airlines, and LinkedIn, have signed an open letter to state governments, urging them to make computer science a required course for high school graduation. The letter argues that computer science is no longer optional in preparing students for a rapidly evolving, technology-driven job market — especially with the rise of artificial intelligence.
Citing a Brookings Institution study, the letter notes that students who complete just one high school computer science course see an average 8% wage increase, regardless of the career path they choose. It projects that implementing this requirement across all 50 states could result in an additional $660 billion in lifetime earnings for American workers.
“This is not just about education — it’s about equity, opportunity, and global competitiveness,” the letter states. “While countries like China, Brazil, South Korea, and Singapore have already mandated computer science or AI education for every student, the United States continues to fall behind.”
The CEOs point to research from the World Economic Forum that predicts 60% of current jobs will be significantly impacted by AI by 2050. In response, they argue that students must learn how to build and understand AI, not simply consume it.
“In the age of AI, we must prepare our children to be creators, not just users,” the letter continues. “Foundational knowledge in computer science and artificial intelligence is essential if we want every student to succeed in a future shaped by technology.”
The push comes as the U.S. continues to face a national shortage of qualified STEM teachers — particularly in computer science. According to the U.S. Department of Education, only 82 out of 150,000 newly certified teachers in 2020 were certified to teach computer science.
Despite this, the letter notes encouraging momentum in the recruitment of computer science educators, with over 100,000 teachers entering the field in the past decade.
The CEOs frame this moment as an opportunity for states to lead and invest in the future of the American workforce. With the average computer science salary reaching $140,000, expanding access to foundational education in this field could help close income gaps and prepare students for high-paying, in-demand careers.