Computer and Information Sciences at Alabama A & M University

Alabama A & M's computer science program starts graduates at $63,900—solid nationally but landing below the state median of $67,315. Among Alabama's 22 programs, this ranks only in the 40th percentile, with flagship universities like Alabama ($83,651) and Auburn ($72,440) pulling significantly ahead. For families considering in-state options, that gap matters when tuition costs are comparable.

The bright spot here is debt: at $31,000, graduates owe less than most Alabama peers and well below what you'd see at many competing programs. That 0.49 debt-to-earnings ratio means the first year's salary covers roughly twice the student loan burden—a manageable position for starting a tech career. Four-year earnings of $68,138 show modest but steady growth.

The major caveat is sample size. With fewer than 30 graduates in this data, these numbers could shift considerably year to year. For a family whose child qualifies for substantial financial aid (64% of students receive Pell grants here), this program offers reasonable value despite trailing stronger Alabama programs. But if comparing similar aid packages across schools, the earning difference between this and UAH or Auburn—$7,000 to $20,000 annually—compounds quickly over a career. It's a viable path into tech, just not Alabama's most lucrative one.