Computer and Information Sciences at California Institute of Technology

Caltech's computer science graduates earn $253,305 four years out—nearly triple what UCLA's produce and more than four times the California median. While first-year earnings of roughly $54,000 are estimated from comparable programs statewide, that four-year figure is actual reported data, and it reveals an extraordinary trajectory that sets this program apart from every other computer science degree in California.

The estimated $25,000 debt load, derived from similar programs at highly selective institutions, means graduates would owe less than half their first-year salary and just 10% of their four-year earnings. These numbers suggest rapid salary growth: the jump from year one to year four implies either aggressive promotions, stock compensation vesting at major tech companies, or graduates launching successful ventures—all plausible outcomes given Caltech's research intensity and the three-percent admission rate that ensures you're learning alongside exceptional peers.

The caveat: with a sample size too small to report first-year earnings directly, we're working with educated guesses about the initial salary picture. But that $253,305 at year four tells you what matters most—this program delivers uncommon outcomes even among elite tech programs. For a family willing to navigate Caltech's academic rigor and relatively modest financial aid (just 15% receive Pell grants), the return appears extraordinary despite the data limitations on the front end.