Computer Science at Fayetteville State University

Fayetteville State's computer science program shows earnings that fall below both state and national norms, placing it in the bottom quarter of North Carolina CS programs. At $50,940 in first-year earnings, graduates earn about 25% less than the state median and 28% below national benchmarks. More concerning, earnings actually decline to $48,193 by year four—unusual in a field where most graduates see steady salary growth as they gain experience. For context, even NC A&T State, another HBCU in the state, places graduates earning $81,000.

The debt load of $27,000 sits slightly above the national median, which wouldn't be alarming in isolation. However, paired with below-market earnings, it creates a debt-to-income ratio of 0.53—manageable but not ideal for a technical field that typically offers stronger starting salaries. The school serves a predominantly lower-income population (53% Pell recipients), making that modest debt burden potentially more significant for graduates.

These numbers come from a small sample of fewer than 30 graduates, so individual outcomes could vary considerably. Still, the pattern is clear enough to warrant concern: if your child can gain admission to NC State or NC A&T, the earnings premium would be substantial—nearly double what FSU graduates earn. Unless location or other factors make FSU the only viable option, North Carolina offers several CS programs with significantly stronger employment outcomes.