Computer and Information Sciences at Carroll University

Based on comparable computer science programs in Wisconsin, Carroll's students likely start around $68,700—solidly middle-of-the-pack for the state but above the national median of $61,300. The estimated debt load of roughly $25,900 creates a manageable 0.38 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates would owe about 4.5 months of their first-year salary. For context, UW-Madison leads the state at $80,600, while Carroll appears to cluster with programs like UW-Platteville in the mid-to-high $60,000s.

The key uncertainty here is that both figures are estimates—Wisconsin has 20 computer science programs but limited public outcome data for many of them. What we know is that Carroll sits in a competitive market where peer institutions produce a wide earnings range, from the upper $60,000s to over $80,000. The debt estimate, drawn from similar private institutions nationally, suggests reasonable borrowing levels for a field with strong earning potential.

If your student is comparing Carroll to state universities, understand that the UW system schools with public data show earnings $5,000 to $12,000 higher. That gap matters over a career, though Carroll's smaller class sizes and different campus environment may offer trade-offs worth considering. The financial fundamentals look workable—computer science remains one of the more reliable fields for recouping educational investment—but press the school for placement data and starting salary specifics from recent graduates before committing.