Computer Programming at Fort Hays State University

Fort Hays State delivers solid tech earnings—$57,162 in year one—that exceed both national and Kansas medians for computer programming degrees. That 60th percentile ranking among Kansas programs matters here: with only two schools offering this degree in-state, you're looking at the stronger option for Kansas residents who want to stay close to home. The $28,000 debt load sits below the national median, though it's notably higher than Kansas's overall median for this program.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.49 translates to roughly six months of gross income, which represents a manageable starting point for a tech career. These graduates enter the workforce earning more than the typical programming graduate nationally while carrying less debt. The 92% admission rate means access isn't a barrier—students who might not get into more selective tech programs can still land respectable entry-level developer salaries.

The main limitation is that these are first-year numbers from a moderate sample size, so we can't see whether Fort Hays graduates match the earnings growth typical in tech careers. For Kansas families prioritizing in-state tuition and reasonable debt, this program offers a straightforward path into programming work with starting pay that covers the investment well. It won't rival elite CS programs, but it produces working programmers with manageable financial obligations.