Computer Science at Cleveland State University

Cleveland State's Computer Science program gets students into tech jobs with manageable debt, but the earnings lag behind what's typical for Ohio CS graduates. At $68,280 one year out, graduates earn about $5,700 less than the state median and fall slightly below the national benchmark too. This isn't catastrophic—the debt load of $23,365 is perfectly reasonable with a 0.34 debt-to-earnings ratio—but it matters when nearly identical programs at Franklin University and University of Dayton are launching graduates into $75,000+ starting positions just down the road.

The 95% admission rate means your child won't face cutthroat competition to get in, which has appeal for students who need a solid safety school. The question is whether accessibility is worth the earnings gap. Tech employers do care about where you studied, and Case Western graduates in the same state are pulling $95,000—though that's comparing apples to oranges given the selectivity difference.

For a student planning to stay in Ohio's tech market, this is a functional path into the industry without crushing debt. But if they can gain admission to one of the mid-tier Ohio programs like Dayton or Cedarville, the 10-15% earnings premium would compound significantly over a career. Cleveland State works as a Plan B, not necessarily as your first choice when stronger in-state options remain on the table.