Computer and Information Sciences at Auburn University at Montgomery

Auburn Montgomery's computer science graduates earn $45,526 in their first year—landing in just the 10th percentile among Alabama programs in a state where the typical CS graduate makes $67,315. That's a $22,000 gap compared to the state median, and even wider when you look at what graduates from Auburn's main campus ($72,440) or Alabama in Huntsville ($75,159) are earning. In a field known for strong starting salaries, these numbers fall surprisingly short.

The debt picture compounds the concern. At $41,176, graduates here carry substantially more debt than both the state median ($27,000) and national median ($25,000) for computer science programs. Combined with below-average earnings, that creates a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.90—meaning graduates owe nearly a full year's salary right out of the gate. This is a tougher financial starting point than most CS graduates face.

The critical caveat: this data comes from fewer than 30 graduates, so individual circumstances could swing these numbers considerably. But even accounting for the small sample, the pattern is clear. If your child is set on staying in Montgomery, have a frank conversation about whether this program justifies its cost compared to other Alabama options, particularly given the university's open enrollment model. For computer science specifically, where you get your degree appears to matter significantly within the state job market.