Computer Science at Franciscan University of Steubenville

Based on comparable programs across Ohio, this computer science degree appears positioned right at the state median—suggesting typical outcomes rather than standout performance. The estimated $74,000 first-year earnings align closely with what Ohio CS graduates generally achieve, though they trail schools like Case Western Reserve by over $20,000 and fall slightly behind nearby Cedarville.

The estimated $27,000 debt load is notably higher than both the Ohio median ($23,308) and the national benchmark ($23,374) for computer science programs. While this debt remains manageable relative to earning potential—the 0.37 debt-to-earnings ratio suggests borrowers could reasonably pay off loans within a few years—it does mean Franciscan students may be paying more for similar outcomes compared to peers at other Ohio institutions. For context, computer science graduates nationally face median debt of just over $23,000, making this program's estimated borrowing about 16% higher.

The fundamental challenge here is that neither the earnings nor debt figures come from actual Franciscan graduates—they're derived from peer programs across the state. For a family considering a substantial financial commitment, this uncertainty matters. You're essentially betting that Franciscan's small computer science cohort will perform like the Ohio average, without school-specific evidence to confirm that assumption. If you're confident in the program's quality and the fit is strong, the estimated numbers suggest reasonable value. But given the higher-than-typical borrowing and lack of program-specific outcomes, families should have serious conversations about whether this represents the best use of education dollars.