Computer Science at Davenport University

Davenport's computer science program lands squarely in the middle of Michigan's offerings—at the 40th percentile statewide—but trails the national median by about $11,000 annually. While first-year earnings of $60,031 aren't terrible, they're notably behind peer Michigan programs like Calvin University ($73,145) and even Baker College ($67,839). The positive story here is debt: at $32,500, it's well below both state and national medians, giving graduates a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.54.

The 97% admission rate reflects Davenport's open-access mission, and outcomes suggest the program delivers decent but not exceptional preparation. Graduates earn enough to handle their loans comfortably, but they're starting their careers at a financial disadvantage compared to peers from more selective Michigan programs. For a field like computer science, where earning potential is a major draw, that $13,000 gap compared to nearby Kettering or even the $7,000 difference versus Baker College adds up significantly over time.

This program makes sense primarily if location, accessibility, or cost are driving factors—the lower debt burden is genuine. But families who can access more competitive Michigan CS programs should strongly consider them, as the earnings difference will likely outweigh any modest tuition savings within a few years of graduation.