Computer Science at Concordia University-Saint Paul

The small sample size here is critical context—with fewer than 30 graduates, a few high earners could be skewing what otherwise might be a more typical outcome. That said, the $72,875 first-year salary lands right at Minnesota's median for computer science programs, suggesting graduates are finding comparable opportunities to peers across the state, even if they're trailing the University of Minnesota or top liberal arts colleges by $10,000-$15,000.

The debt picture is genuinely impressive: $29,180 sits in the 5th percentile nationally, meaning 95% of computer science programs saddle students with more debt. With a 0.40 debt-to-earnings ratio, graduates are looking at manageable repayment—roughly equivalent to a modest car loan against a solid tech salary. For a school serving a meaningful share of Pell-eligible students (34%), keeping debt this low while delivering median-range outcomes is noteworthy.

The real question is volatility. Small cohorts mean less predictability year-to-year, so future graduates might see different results. If your student has other affordable in-state options like the University of Minnesota system, those provide more proven track records. But for families prioritizing a smaller campus environment with strong financial aid, Concordia delivers competitive computer science outcomes without the debt burden that typically accompanies private university tuition.