Harvard's CompSci intro course boasts record-breaking enrollment

I also wonder what the percentage of graduates they have after the four years. I'm sure a lot of people see the draw of a fun career and money, but don't know how difficult the degree is.

As an EECS student at UC Berkeley, whose intro CS class is in the same situation, I think it's mostly the latter. There are certainly more people seeking careers as devs nowadays, but that's nothing compared to all of the bio, math, physics, and psychology major friends I have taking CS classes. They want to see what it's all about.

Harvard students are buying into the idea that knowledge of the basics of computer science and programming is useful in a wide variety of fields. Malan's CS50 has also definitely contributed to a significant increase in the number of undergrads choosing Computer Science as their concentration (what Harvard calls majors). Other concentrations offered within Harvard's School of Engineering and Applied Sciences have also seen increased enrollment and there's been an increase in the quantity and proportion of women in SEAS concentrations. But being a CS concentrator doesn't necessarily mean they'll seek "careers as devs," CS is not just "how to program" and Harvard (College) not a trade school.

I took it in 2009 through Harvard's Extension School (CSCI E-50 is now its course number through that School); it was a great class and from what I've seen it has only gotten better since then.