Computer Science at Christopher Newport University

Christopher Newport's computer science graduates earn $72,128 in their first year—landing at the state median and slightly above the national benchmark. Among Virginia's 20 computer science programs, this puts CNU ahead of established schools like Radford ($66,857) while trailing the state's top performers like William & Mary and George Mason by roughly $12,000. The 15% earnings growth to $83,205 by year four is solid, and the $22,250 debt load sits comfortably below both state and national medians.

The math here is straightforward: with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.31, graduates can realistically pay off loans within a year or two of focused repayment. That's a manageable trade-off for entering a field with strong job prospects. The 88% admission rate and moderate SAT scores suggest this program offers an accessible entry point to tech careers without the pressure-cooker environment of Virginia's most selective schools.

For parents weighing options, CNU delivers middle-of-the-pack computer science outcomes at a lower cost than you'd pay at George Mason or William & Mary. If your child is considering computer science and values a less competitive atmosphere with reasonable debt, this program accomplishes its core mission: getting graduates into tech jobs with financial breathing room from day one.