Computer and Information Sciences at California State University-Fresno

Fresno State's Computer Science program shows an unusual pattern that parents need to understand. Fresh graduates start well below expectations—first-year earnings of $40,000 rank in just the 25th percentile among California CS programs. Yet the program manages to keep debt remarkably low at $13,570, roughly half the state average. By year four, graduates reach $63,000, a solid 58% jump that closes much of the initial gap.

This creates a specific tradeoff. Your child will likely struggle more financially in those first few years out of college compared to peers from other California schools. That $40,000 starting salary is less than half what UCLA or Berkeley grads earn immediately, though the debt burden here won't compound the problem. The 96% admission rate and 56% Pell grant population suggest this program serves students who may lack access to more selective alternatives—and for them, the trajectory matters more than the starting point.

The key question is whether your child can weather those lean early years. If they're living at home or have family support during the initial career phase, the combination of minimal debt and strong earnings growth makes this viable. But if they need immediate financial independence, the weak starting position becomes a serious obstacle, regardless of how much improvement follows.