Computer Science at George Mason University

George Mason's computer science graduates earn $84,632 in their first year—a figure that puts them near the top of Virginia programs and well above the national median of $70,950. While the debt figure of $24,125 is estimated from similar programs in the state, this creates a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.29, meaning graduates could theoretically pay off their loans in about three and a half months of gross income.

The actual earnings data tells a strong story: Mason graduates match William & Mary's outcomes despite Mason's much higher admission rate (89% versus William & Mary's selectivity). This suggests the program delivers exceptional value for students who might not have access to the most selective schools. The 15% earnings growth to $97,310 by year four also indicates these graduates are advancing, not plateauing.

The debt estimate warrants some caution—it's based on other Virginia programs' medians, not Mason's specific outcomes. However, even if actual debt runs 20-30% higher than estimated, the strong earnings would still support rapid repayment. For computer science specifically, Mason appears to punch significantly above its weight, producing graduates who compete with those from Virginia's most selective institutions at a school that admits nearly nine out of ten applicants. That accessibility combined with elite-tier outcomes makes this program worth serious consideration.