Location: Denver, CO•In-State Tuition: $8,400•Admission Rate: 93%
Median Earnings (1yr)
$68,010
67th percentile
40th percentile in Colorado
Median Debt
$32,078
28% above national median
D/E Ratio: 0.47 ManageableSample: 401 graduates

Analysis

Colorado State University Global's computer science program offers a compelling financial proposition that stands out nationally while falling in the middle of Colorado's competitive landscape. With starting salaries of $68,010 and remarkably low debt levels at just $32,078, graduates face a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.47—significantly better than most programs nationwide. The 24% earnings growth to $84,340 by year four demonstrates strong career trajectory potential.

The program's national ranking in the 67th percentile shows solid performance compared to the 929 schools offering this degree nationwide. However, within Colorado's smaller pool of 12 programs, it ranks at the 40th percentile—trailing flagship institutions like CSU-Fort Collins ($78,856) but still competitive with the state median of $71,574. What sets this program apart is its exceptionally low debt burden, ranking in just the 14th percentile nationally for student debt.

For families seeking a practical path into tech careers, this program delivers strong value through its combination of reasonable debt and solid earning potential. The online format and 93% admission rate make it accessible, while the robust sample size of 100+ graduates provides confidence in these outcomes. Parents should feel comfortable that graduates will have manageable debt payments and clear earning growth, even if starting salaries don't match Colorado's top-tier programs.

Where Colorado State University Global Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all computer and information sciences bachelors's programs nationally

Colorado State University GlobalOther computer and information sciences programs

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

Earnings Distribution

How Colorado State University Global graduates compare to all programs nationally

Colorado State University Global earns $68k — 67th percentile among computer and information sciences bachelors programs.

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
Colorado State University Global$68,010$84,340+24%
Colorado State University-Fort Collins$78,856$101,356+29%
University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus$75,137$81,271+8%
Colorado Technical University-Colorado Springs$60,377$69,365+15%
Colorado Mesa University$65,284$67,556+3%

Compare to Similar Programs in Colorado

Computer and Information Sciences bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Colorado (12 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
Colorado State University GlobalDenver$8,400$68,010$84,340$32,0780.47
Colorado State University-Fort CollinsFort Collins$12,896$78,856$101,356$23,2500.29
Colorado Christian UniversityLakewood$39,266$75,288—$35,8860.48
University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical CampusDenver$10,017$75,137$81,271$21,0000.28
Colorado Mesa UniversityGrand Junction$9,712$65,284$67,556$25,0000.38
Colorado Technical University-Colorado SpringsColorado Springs$12,760$60,377$69,365$47,2410.78
National Median—$61,322—$25,0000.41

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with computer and information sciences 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

Computer Network Architects

Design and implement computer and information networks, such as local area networks (LAN), wide area networks (WAN), intranets, extranets, and other data communications networks. Perform network modeling, analysis, and planning, including analysis of capacity needs for network infrastructures. May also design network and computer security measures. May research and recommend network and data communications hardware and software.

$130,390/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Telecommunications Engineering Specialists

Design or configure wired, wireless, and satellite communications systems for voice, video, and data services. Supervise installation, service, and maintenance.

$130,390/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 Administrators

Administer, test, and implement computer databases, applying knowledge of database management systems. Coordinate changes to computer databases. Identify, investigate, and resolve database performance issues, database capacity, and database scalability. May plan, coordinate, and implement security measures to safeguard computer databases.

$123,100/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
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 Colorado State University Global, approximately 24% 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 401 graduates with reported earnings and 482 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.