Computer Science at Denison University

A highly selective liberal arts college charging $27,000 in debt for a computer science degree needs to deliver more than what comparable programs suggest. Based on Ohio's median for bachelor's-level CS programs, first-year earnings around $74,000 would leave graduates paying roughly 37 cents of every dollar earned toward their loans—a workable but unexceptional start. What concerns me here is that Denison's 17% admission rate and 1395 median SAT suggest they're attracting top-tier students who could likely access stronger outcomes elsewhere. Case Western graduates in this field start at $96,000, nearly $22,000 more than the state median, while Franklin University—a far less selective institution—matches the state average at comparable debt levels.

The core question is whether Denison's intimate liberal arts environment justifies paying premium tuition for middle-of-the-pack tech outcomes. Computer science is one field where employers care intensely about skills and projects, often giving less weight to brand prestige outside established tech feeders. If your student thrives in small seminars and wants a well-rounded humanities education alongside their CS training, Denison might work. But if maximizing earning power in tech is the priority, these estimates suggest they'd do better at Ohio State, Case Western, or even the less prestigious options that produce similar starting salaries with less debt. The $27,000 figure is manageable, but only if the actual outcomes meet or exceed what peer programs deliver—and right now, that's an open question.