Computer and Information Sciences at Baylor University

A $55,000 starting salary—based on comparable computer science programs across Texas—sits squarely at the state median but trails the national benchmark by about $6,000. The estimated $24,000 in debt yields a manageable ratio of 0.44, meaning graduates would theoretically owe less than half their first-year earnings. However, context matters here: similar programs at UT Austin and Texas A&M produce graduates earning $80,000-$110,000 annually, nearly double what peer programs suggest for Baylor's outcomes. That gap is substantial in a field where higher salaries early in your career compound significantly over time.

The limited data availability—too few graduates to report actual outcomes—raises questions about program scale and industry connections. In computer science, where internships and recruiting relationships drive starting salaries, smaller cohorts can mean fewer corporate partnerships. Texas's tech market offers strong opportunities, but capturing them often depends on institutional reach. The debt load appears reasonable, yet it's worth considering whether similar debt at a flagship program might purchase access to considerably higher earnings trajectories.

For parents weighing this investment, the unknown is whether Baylor's specific outcomes diverge meaningfully from the state median used here. If your student values the private university experience and smaller class sizes, the estimated financial picture isn't alarming. But if maximizing computer science earnings potential is the priority, programs with proven track records of six-figure placements deserve serious consideration—especially when in-state tuition at those alternatives could mean less debt alongside significantly higher returns.