Analysis
In Georgia's competitive computer science landscape, peer programs suggest graduates typically earn around $61,000 in their first yearβright at the national median but well below what Georgia Tech ($105,000) and Spelman ($99,000) produce. For a school serving a significant population of Pell grant recipients, this represents solid middle-ground outcomes, though the estimation reflects limited graduate sample sizes that make it harder to assess Georgia Southwestern's specific track record.
The estimated $26,800 in debt sits comfortably below both state and national averages, yielding a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.44 that suggests manageable repayment. Similar Georgia programs indicate graduates could realistically handle their loans on a tech salary, though it's worth noting the wide variation in outcomes across the stateβtop programs produce nearly double the earnings of median ones, and without reported data specific to Georgia Southwestern, it's unclear where their graduates land within that spectrum.
For families considering this program, the fundamentals look reasonable based on comparable schools: estimated earnings match national benchmarks and estimated debt stays moderate. However, the lack of actual outcome data means you're evaluating a computer science degree without knowing whether this particular program connects graduates to higher-paying Atlanta tech jobs or more modest regional opportunities. If affordable in-state education matters most, the risk seems contained. If maximizing tech earnings is the priority, programs with documented outcomes above $65,000 might warrant the comparison shopping.
Where Georgia Southwestern State University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all computer and information sciences bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Georgia
Computer and Information Sciences bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Georgia (26 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $4,980 | $61,318* | β | $26,832* | β | |
| $11,764 | $105,137* | $127,253 | $21,125* | 0.20 | |
| $30,058 | $98,692* | β | β* | β | |
| $5,971 | $69,653* | $86,652 | $26,823* | 0.39 | |
| $13,920 | $67,315* | $77,481 | $50,737* | 0.75 | |
| $8,478 | $65,439* | $79,310 | $26,000* | 0.40 | |
| National Median | β | $61,322* | β | $25,000* | 0.41 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with computer and information sciences graduates
Computer and Information Systems Managers
Computer and Information Research Scientists
Software Developers
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers
Computer Network Architects
Telecommunications Engineering Specialists
Information Security Analysts
Database Administrators
Database Architects
Data Warehousing Specialists
Data Scientists
Business Intelligence Analysts
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Georgia Southwestern State University, approximately 41% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 15 similar programs in GA. Actual outcomes may vary.