Location: Potsdam, NY•In-State Tuition: $57,950•Admission Rate: 77%•Avg SAT: 1307
Median Earnings (1yr)
$79,744
72nd percentile
60th percentile in New York
Median Debt
$25,990
11% above national median
D/E Ratio: 0.33 ManageableSample: 41 graduates

Analysis

Clarkson's computer science graduates start strong and then surge—hitting nearly $80,000 in their first year and climbing to $104,000 by year four. That 30% earnings growth trajectory is exactly what you want to see from a tech degree, and while the program doesn't match the elite NYC schools or Cornell, it outperforms 60% of New York CS programs despite being located in rural upstate New York.

The debt picture strengthens the case: at $26,000, graduates owe just one-third of their first-year salary, which is manageable territory for a field with these earning levels. This actually represents below-average borrowing for computer science nationally. The combination means graduates can comfortably service loans while building savings, even if they don't immediately land at a tech giant.

What you're getting here is solid technical training without the pressure cooker admissions (77% acceptance rate) and a career launch that rivals much more selective programs. Clarkson sits between RIT and University of Rochester in outcomes despite being far easier to get into. The tradeoff is location—Potsdam is remote, which may mean fewer local internship opportunities—but the graduation outcomes suggest students are successfully finding their way to stronger job markets. For a student who wants CS opportunities without brutal admissions odds, this delivers professional-level earnings at a reasonable debt load.

Where Clarkson University Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all computer science bachelors's programs nationally

Clarkson UniversityOther computer science programs

Dashed lines show national medians. Upper-left = best value.

Earnings Distribution

How Clarkson University graduates compare to all programs nationally

Clarkson University earns $80k — 72th percentile among computer science bachelors programs.

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
Clarkson University$79,744$104,005+30%
Cornell University$152,656$185,679+22%
Columbia University in the City of New York$118,636$160,457+35%
University of Rochester$99,878$136,559+37%
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute$104,943$129,412+23%

Compare to Similar Programs in New York

Computer Science bachelors's programs at peer institutions in New York (46 total in state)

Scroll to see more →

SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
Clarkson UniversityPotsdam$57,950$79,744$104,005$25,9900.33
Cornell UniversityIthaca$66,014$152,656$185,679$14,6980.10
Columbia University in the City of New YorkNew York$69,045$118,636$160,457$20,3970.17
Rensselaer Polytechnic InstituteTroy$61,884$104,943$129,412$23,2500.22
University of RochesterRochester$64,348$99,878$136,559$19,0000.19
Rochester Institute of TechnologyRochester$57,016$94,611$125,429$27,0000.29
National Median—$70,950—$23,3740.33

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with computer science graduates

Computer and Information Systems Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as electronic data processing, information systems, systems analysis, and computer programming.

$171,200/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Computer and Information Research Scientists

Conduct research into fundamental computer and information science as theorists, designers, or inventors. Develop solutions to problems in the field of computer hardware and software.

$140,910/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Software Developers

Research, design, and develop computer and network software or specialized utility programs. Analyze user needs and develop software solutions, applying principles and techniques of computer science, engineering, and mathematical analysis. Update software or enhance existing software capabilities. May work with computer hardware engineers to integrate hardware and software systems, and develop specifications and performance requirements. May maintain databases within an application area, working individually or coordinating database development as part of a team.

$131,450/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers

Develop and execute software tests to identify software problems and their causes. Test system modifications to prepare for implementation. Document software and application defects using a bug tracking system and report defects to software or web developers. Create and maintain databases of known defects. May participate in software design reviews to provide input on functional requirements, operational characteristics, product designs, and schedules.

$131,450/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Information Security Analysts

Plan, implement, upgrade, or monitor security measures for the protection of computer networks and information. Assess system vulnerabilities for security risks and propose and implement risk mitigation strategies. May ensure appropriate security controls are in place that will safeguard digital files and vital electronic infrastructure. May respond to computer security breaches and viruses.

$124,910/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Database Architects

Design strategies for enterprise databases, data warehouse systems, and multidimensional networks. Set standards for database operations, programming, query processes, and security. Model, design, and construct large relational databases or data warehouses. Create and optimize data models for warehouse infrastructure and workflow. Integrate new systems with existing warehouse structure and refine system performance and functionality.

$123,100/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Data Warehousing Specialists

Design, model, or implement corporate data warehousing activities. Program and configure warehouses of database information and provide support to warehouse users.

$123,100/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Data Scientists

Develop and implement a set of techniques or analytics applications to transform raw data into meaningful information using data-oriented programming languages and visualization software. Apply data mining, data modeling, natural language processing, and machine learning to extract and analyze information from large structured and unstructured datasets. Visualize, interpret, and report data findings. May create dynamic data reports.

$112,590/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Business Intelligence Analysts

Produce financial and market intelligence by querying data repositories and generating periodic reports. Devise methods for identifying data patterns and trends in available information sources.

$112,590/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Clinical Data Managers

Apply knowledge of health care and database management to analyze clinical data, and to identify and report trends.

$112,590/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Computer Programmers

Create, modify, and test the code and scripts that allow computer applications to run. Work from specifications drawn up by software and web developers or other individuals. May develop and write computer programs to store, locate, and retrieve specific documents, data, and information.

$98,670/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Web Developers

Develop and implement websites, web applications, application databases, and interactive web interfaces. Evaluate code to ensure that it is properly structured, meets industry standards, and is compatible with browsers and devices. Optimize website performance, scalability, and server-side code and processes. May develop website infrastructure and integrate websites with other computer applications.

$95,380/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree
About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Clarkson University, approximately 20% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Sample Size: Based on 41 graduates with reported earnings and 44 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.