Computer and Information Sciences at Drake University

Drake University's computer science graduates start at $69,835—beating Iowa's median by $9,000 and landing in the 60th percentile among state programs. More importantly, they're carrying just $21,281 in debt, roughly $3,000 less than typical Iowa CS graduates. That 0.30 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates owe about 4 months of salary, manageable by any reasonable standard. While Drake doesn't quite match Iowa State's outcomes (which sit at the state median of $60,397), it's delivering noticeably stronger results for a moderately selective private university.

The earnings trajectory shows steady momentum: a 12% jump to $77,918 by year four suggests graduates are finding good roles and advancing. Drake ranks in the 71st percentile nationally, putting it ahead of roughly two-thirds of CS programs nationwide—solid positioning for a school that's not a tech powerhouse. The moderate sample size (30-100 graduates) means some year-to-year variation is possible, but the overall picture holds together.

For families weighing private school costs against public alternatives, Drake presents a straightforward case: better starting salaries and less debt than most Iowa options. The $21,000 debt load won't dictate career choices or delay life milestones. If your student thrives in smaller environments and you're not paying significant premiums over in-state tuition at Iowa or Iowa State, Drake's CS program justifies the investment.