Computer and Information Sciences at Athens State University

Athens State's computer science program punches well above its weight in the national market, placing graduates in the 91st percentile for earnings—$17,000 above the typical computer science grad. Within Alabama, however, it sits at a more modest 60th percentile, trailing flagship programs like Alabama ($84k) and UAH ($75k) but still beating Auburn's outcomes.

The debt picture makes this program particularly accessible. At $31,060, it's cheaper than both state and national medians, delivering a favorable 0.40 debt-to-earnings ratio that means graduates owe roughly five months' salary. For a school where 42% of students receive Pell grants, this combination of strong placement and reasonable debt creates a genuine pathway to tech careers without the financial burden of higher-priced options.

The 8% earnings growth to $85k by year four suggests solid career trajectories, likely reflecting Alabama's growing tech sector around Huntsville and Birmingham. While you're not getting University of Alabama prestige, you're getting comparable outcomes at a lower entry price—a trade-off that makes sense for cost-conscious families, especially those who plan to stay in-state where the Athens State degree clearly holds value with employers.