Computer Science at Gardner-Webb University

A computer science bachelor's degree from Gardner-Webb would leave graduates with an estimated $25,000 in debt—a manageable load given that similar programs in North Carolina typically produce first-year earnings around $67,700. That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.37 suggests graduates could realistically pay off their loans within a few years while maintaining a reasonable standard of living, assuming they land jobs consistent with state averages.

The challenge here is context. North Carolina's tech market offers a wide spectrum of outcomes: Duke CS grads start near $133,000, UNC-Chapel Hill grads around $90,000, and NC State grads at roughly $86,000. Gardner-Webb's smaller program size (hence the suppressed data) means less visibility into whether its graduates actually achieve the state median or fall short. The school's 87% admission rate and modest average SAT scores suggest it serves a different student population than the Research Triangle powerhouses, which could affect both the opportunities available through campus recruiting and the baseline preparation students bring.

The math works if your child lands a typical North Carolina CS job. The uncertainty lies in whether Gardner-Webb's specific program—its faculty connections, curriculum rigor, and employer relationships—actually delivers those outcomes. Before committing, your family should request graduate employment data directly from the department and speak with recent alumni about their job search experiences.