Computer and Information Sciences at Dickinson College

Pennsylvania's computer science programs show striking disparities, with outcomes at elite institutions like Penn ($146,204) and Swarthmore ($103,686) far exceeding what typical programs in the state deliver. Dickinson's small graduate cohort means its actual results aren't publicly reported, but similar programs at Pennsylvania private colleges suggest first-year earnings around $57,000—which sits at the state median but trails the national benchmark by $4,000.

The estimated debt load of $27,000 creates a manageable 0.47 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates would owe less than half their first year's salary. That's a reasonable starting point for a technical degree, though it's worth noting that Pennsylvania's computer science programs typically carry slightly higher debt than the national median of $25,000. The real question is whether Dickinson's liberal arts approach—serving a largely affluent student body (only 14% receive Pell grants) with selective admissions—translates to career outcomes that justify choosing it over state schools or programs with proven track records in the $80,000+ range.

Without program-specific data, you're essentially betting that Dickinson's broader institutional reputation will compensate for what appears to be middle-of-the-pack computer science placement. The debt isn't alarming, but if your child has options at schools with documented stronger tech recruiting pipelines, those deserve serious consideration.