COMPUTER coding skills are becoming critical for 21st century workers but more than two-thirds of Australian students admit they do not know enough about the discipline that powers the digital world.

Computer science involves much more than writing code. It blends technical knowledge —like programming, algorithms and data systems — with soft skills, such as communication and problem-solving.

The long-standing belief that earning a computer science degree from a top American university guarantees a high-paying job is facing growing challenges. Despite booming enrollments and soaring ...