Computer and Information Sciences at Arcadia University

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.