Computer Science at Auburn University at Montgomery

First-year earnings around $71,000 sound promising for a Computer Science degree, but there's crucial context: that figure comes from the national median across all CS programs, not from actual outcomes at Auburn Montgomery. The school's graduate pool is too small for the Department of Education to report specific data, so we're relying on estimates to gauge value. What we do know is that Alabama's CS job market typically produces more modest returns—the state median sits at $55,000, substantially below the national benchmark this estimate draws from.

The estimated $22,500 in debt creates a manageable ratio of 0.32 if earnings hit that $71,000 mark, but comparable programs in Alabama suggest graduates might face a tougher reality. University of South Alabama, the state's benchmark program, reports first-year earnings of just $55,000—about $16,000 less than the estimate used here. If Auburn Montgomery's outcomes track closer to that state average, the financial picture becomes less favorable, particularly for the 43% of students receiving Pell grants who may be stretching to afford even modest debt loads.

The risk here is straightforward: you're evaluating a program based on what CS degrees produce nationally when the local market and peer institutions suggest lower returns. Before committing, verify whether Auburn Montgomery's graduates actually secure those higher-paying positions—perhaps through employer partnerships in tech hubs outside Alabama—or whether they're competing primarily in the state's more modest salary landscape.