Computer Science at Elon University

North Carolina's computer science landscape shows dramatic variation—from Duke's $133,000 first-year earnings down to the state median of $67,700. Based on comparable programs in the state, Elon likely sits near that middle mark, producing an estimated debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.37. That's manageable territory for a tech degree, though Elon's estimated $67,700 falls well short of what NC State ($85,800) and UNC-Chapel Hill ($90,300) deliver, despite similar or lower costs.

The estimated $25,000 debt load tracks closely with both state and national norms for computer science programs, which is reasonable news. But here's the rub: peer programs suggest Elon graduates would be earning about $3,000 less than the national median for CS degrees while paying private school prices. The 9% Pell grant population hints at a relatively affluent student body that may be less sensitive to these earnings differences, but for families weighing value, the gap between Elon and North Carolina's public flagships is substantial.

Without actual outcome data for Elon's program, the key question becomes whether the university's smaller class sizes and personalized environment justify potentially earning 20-30% less than graduates from NC State or UNC. If your student is genuinely drawn to Elon's culture and you can manage the cost comfortably, the estimated debt burden won't be crushing. But if maximizing early career earnings matters, the state's top-tier public programs deliver considerably stronger returns.