Computer Science at Calvary University

Is $25,000 in debt reasonable for a computer science degree that should launch graduates into a six-figure career? Based on comparable programs in Missouri, Calvary's outcomes appear solid but not exceptional—first-year earnings around $69,000 track closely with state averages and sit just shy of the national median for CS bachelor's programs. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.36 suggests manageable repayment, with graduates owing roughly four months of salary. That's competitive: nationally, CS graduates typically carry $23,000 in debt, making Calvary's estimated burden only slightly higher.

The challenge here is uncertainty. With too few graduates to generate actual data, we're relying on estimates from peer programs across Missouri—a state where CS outcomes vary dramatically. Washington University launches graduates at $110,000, while programs like UMKC produce earnings identical to Calvary's estimate. Without knowing where Calvary actually falls in that spectrum, you're making a bet on an untested program. The school's modest SAT scores and selective admission suggest it may not attract the same talent pipeline as Missouri's flagship universities, which could matter significantly in competitive tech recruiting.

If your child has admission offers from programs with proven track records—particularly UMSL or UMKC, which show similar earnings with established outcomes—those represent safer choices. Calvary might deliver comparable results, but there's simply no graduate data yet to confirm it.