Computer and Information Sciences at Ball State University

Ball State's computer science graduates start at $59,249—landing below both the national median ($61,322) and the Indiana median ($61,699). Within Indiana, this program sits at just the 40th percentile, meaning six out of ten in-state alternatives produce better starting salaries. The gap is stark when compared to Purdue's $72,132 or even Indiana University-Bloomington's $62,350. For a field where starting salary heavily influences career trajectory, this below-average launch matters.

The debt picture offers some relief: $23,512 is manageable with a 0.40 debt-to-earnings ratio, though even here Ball State sits slightly above Indiana's median debt load of $21,590. Earnings do grow 17% to $69,101 by year four, showing respectable progression. But in tech, where job-hopping and skill acquisition typically drive faster growth, that's a fairly standard climb.

For Indiana families, this comes down to opportunity cost. If your child has the stats for Purdue or IU-Bloomington, the $10,000+ earnings difference compounds significantly over a career. Ball State makes sense primarily as a more affordable option if admission rate and campus environment matter more than maximizing tech-sector earnings—but know you're trading starting salary for accessibility in a field where that initial number shapes long-term compensation.