Computer Science at Central Methodist University-College of Graduate and Extended Studies

At $49,629 in first-year earnings, Central Methodist's Computer Science graduates earn substantially less than what Missouri families should expect from this degree. That figure sits $20,000 below the state median and ranks in just the 5th percentile nationally—meaning 95% of Computer Science programs produce better outcomes. For context, graduates from University of Missouri-St Louis earn nearly $23,000 more their first year, while those from Washington University more than double Central Methodist's figure.

The debt burden of $25,000 appears manageable in isolation, but paired with these low earnings, it creates a concerning debt-to-income ratio of 0.50. Computer Science typically offers strong financial returns precisely because high starting salaries quickly offset student loans. Here, graduates would need to dedicate a significantly larger share of their income to debt repayment compared to peers at other Missouri schools, where similar debt levels are balanced by earnings in the $69,000-$72,000 range.

For a parent evaluating Computer Science programs in Missouri, this data suggests looking elsewhere. The state has nearly 20 options, most delivering substantially stronger earnings outcomes. While Central Methodist may have other qualities worth considering, the program's financial underperformance relative to both state and national benchmarks makes it difficult to justify as a return on investment for this particular degree.