Computer Engineering at Brigham Young University-Idaho

A first-year salary of $76,193 places BYU-Idaho's computer engineering program squarely in the middle pack—not the strongest showing compared to the 356 programs nationally, but competitive within Idaho's limited landscape. While the debt figure of $26,146 is an estimate based on similar programs at the school, that 0.34 ratio is manageable for an engineering degree, particularly one that could produce earnings exceeding those of peer programs as careers progress. Computer engineering typically rewards patience, with mid-career earnings often doubling or tripling initial salaries.

The concern here isn't the debt load but rather the earnings trajectory. At the 40th percentile nationally, graduates are earning about $2,800 less in year one than the typical computer engineering graduate elsewhere. For context, top-quartile programs nationally push past $83,900 in first-year earnings—a $7,700 gap that compounds over time. BYU-Idaho's 97% admission rate and modest SAT scores suggest less competitive peer effects than you'd find at more selective engineering schools, which may explain why the program doesn't reach the top tier of outcomes despite the field's strong fundamentals.

If your child is committed to staying in Idaho and values BYU-Idaho's faith-based environment, the program offers reasonable entry into a lucrative field without crushing debt. But if career earnings are the priority, exploring more competitive engineering programs—even at higher initial cost—could yield better long-term returns.