Computer and Information Sciences at Carthage College

Similar programs across Wisconsin suggest a computer science degree delivers strong financial returns, and Carthage appears to land right in the middle of that pack. At an estimated $68,711 in first-year earnings, this aligns with the state median and places it well above the $61,322 national benchmark—signaling that Wisconsin tech graduates generally do better than peers elsewhere. The estimated $25,860 in debt translates to a manageable 0.38 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates would owe roughly what they'd earn in under five months.

The challenge is that these figures represent typical outcomes for similar programs statewide, not Carthage's actual track record with its computer science graduates. The data suppression likely stems from small class sizes, which makes it harder to gauge whether Carthage's specific approach—at a moderately selective liberal arts college—matches, exceeds, or falls short of peer institutions. Wisconsin's flagship in Madison reports $80,566, showing there's meaningful variation even among programs in the same state.

For parents, the practical question is whether you're comfortable betting on Carthage to deliver outcomes consistent with state norms. The estimated debt level is reasonable for a tech degree, and the field itself offers solid earning potential. But without actual data from this program, you're making that investment based on what similar schools typically achieve rather than Carthage's proven results.