Computer and Information Sciences at Frostburg State University

At $40,214 one year out, Frostburg's computer science graduates earn roughly one-third less than the Maryland median for this degree ($63,334), placing the program in just the 10th percentile statewide. This is concerning given that Maryland has a strong tech employment market—other state schools like St. Mary's College and Morgan State see graduates earning $70,000+, while even Strayer University's computer science graduates start above $67,000. The $30,750 debt load compounds the issue, creating a first-year debt-to-earnings ratio that's manageable in absolute terms but troubling when you consider how much earning power is being left on the table.

The real question is opportunity cost. A computer science graduate from this program is starting nearly $24,000 behind the state median, and that gap likely compounds over a career. For families weighing in-state options, nearby University of Maryland Global Campus delivers nearly double the first-year earnings, while the Maryland flagship system presumably offers even stronger outcomes. Given Frostburg's 89% admission rate and these outcomes, prospective students with computer science aptitude could almost certainly gain admission to Maryland programs with significantly better employment prospects.

If your child is set on Frostburg for location or campus fit reasons, understand they'll be competing for tech jobs with graduates earning 50-70% more from the start. That's a steep hill to climb in salary negotiations and career trajectory.