Computer and Information Sciences at Clark University

Clark University's computer science bachelor's sits in competitive territory—similar programs across Massachusetts suggest first-year earnings around $72,000, which matches the state median but trails powerhouse programs like Northeastern and Wellesley by substantial margins. The estimated $23,000 in debt is actually below both state and national averages for this field, giving graduates a reasonable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.32. That translates to roughly four months of gross income to cover the full debt load, which is manageable by any standard.

What complicates the picture is context. Clark's 1339 average SAT and 42% admission rate suggest it draws capable students, yet peer programs in Massachusetts show a striking earnings spread—from $77,000 at UMass Dartmouth to over $115,000 at Northeastern. The field itself is strong (the national median sits at $61,000, well below Massachusetts figures), but location and employer connections clearly matter enormously in tech. Without reported data specific to Clark's graduates, it's hard to know whether the program punches above or below that $72,000 state median.

The relatively modest debt estimate makes this less of a high-stakes gamble than it could be, but parents should press the school on actual placement outcomes—where graduates land jobs, which companies recruit on campus, and how alumni network in Boston's tech scene. In a field where your first employer often sets your earnings trajectory, those details matter more than the degree itself.