Computer Engineering at Dunwoody College of Technology

Computer engineering programs in Minnesota typically produce strong first-year earnings, and the estimated $78,953 from this program aligns closely with the national median for the field. However, the estimated $26,146 in debt sits slightly above both state and national benchmarks, which matters when you're looking at a school with a 98% admission rate and average SAT scores well below selective engineering programs. The University of Minnesota's graduates earn about $6,700 more in their first year, and that gap could widen over time given the difference in academic selectivity.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.33 suggests manageable debt—roughly four months of pre-tax salary—but remember these figures are derived from peer institutions, not Dunwoody's actual outcomes. For a focused technical school charging comparable prices to larger universities, you'd want to see either lower debt or earnings that match the state's top programs. The real question is whether Dunwoody's hands-on approach and smaller environment justify paying similar amounts when the University of Minnesota or even St. Cloud State offer comparable or better estimated returns.

If your child thrives in smaller, industry-focused settings and needs the accessibility that a 98% admission rate provides, this could work—but request placement statistics and alumni outcomes directly from Dunwoody before committing. The numbers suggest adequate value, not exceptional value.