Analysis
Arcadia's computer science program starts graduates at $50,672—about $10,000 below the national median and $6,500 below Pennsylvania's typical outcomes. While the program sits at the 40th percentile among Pennsylvania schools, that's comparing it to a state with some of the nation's strongest tech programs. The gap to top performers is stark: Penn State and Lehigh graduates earn 60-80% more right out of school.
The $27,000 debt load is reasonable and matches Pennsylvania's state median, giving graduates a manageable 0.53 debt-to-earnings ratio. Strong earnings growth of 27% over four years suggests graduates do build momentum, reaching $64,127 by year four. However, even with that growth, they're still earning below where many peer programs start. For a field known for high starting salaries, these returns are modest—this program ranks in just the 23rd percentile nationally.
For families prioritizing the Arcadia community and environment over maximizing tech earnings, this works if you understand the tradeoff. The debt is manageable and career trajectory is positive. But if your child wants to compete for the highest-paying tech jobs, Pennsylvania offers significantly stronger options at schools like Villanova or even regional competitors that place graduates into higher salary bands from day one.
Where Arcadia University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all computer and information sciences bachelors's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How Arcadia University graduates compare to all programs nationally
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
| School | 1 Year | 4 Years | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arcadia University | $50,672 | $64,127 | +27% |
| University of Pennsylvania | $146,204 | $246,946 | +69% |
| Swarthmore College | $103,686 | $157,852 | +52% |
| Lehigh University | $83,356 | $94,982 | +14% |
| Temple University | $73,393 | $90,875 | +24% |
Compare to Similar Programs in Pennsylvania
Computer and Information Sciences bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Pennsylvania (62 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Arcadia UniversityGlenside | $48,290 | $50,672 | $64,127 | $27,000 | 0.53 |
 University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphia | $66,104 | $146,204 | $246,946 | $15,000 | 0.10 |
 Swarthmore CollegeSwarthmore | $62,412 | $103,686 | $157,852 | — | — |
 Villanova UniversityVillanova | $64,701 | $83,455 | $89,645 | $26,225 | 0.31 |
 Lehigh UniversityBethlehem | $62,180 | $83,356 | $94,982 | $24,019 | 0.29 |
 Wilkes UniversityWilkes-Barre | $42,286 | $83,041 | — | — | — |
| National Median | — | $61,322 | — | $25,000 | 0.41 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with computer and information sciences graduates
Computer and Information Systems Managers
Computer and Information Research Scientists
Software Developers
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers
Computer Network Architects
Telecommunications Engineering Specialists
Information Security Analysts
Database Administrators
Database Architects
Data Warehousing Specialists
Data Scientists
Business Intelligence Analysts
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Arcadia University, approximately 28% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Sample Size: Based on 41 graduates with reported earnings and 47 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.