Computer Science at Gordon College

Gordon College's Computer Science program sits in an unusual position: peer programs across Massachusetts suggest first-year earnings around $86,000—solid by national standards—while estimated debt of $22,375 keeps borrowing manageable. That 0.26 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates would theoretically need about three months of gross salary to cover educational debt, which compares favorably to many bachelor's programs. The challenge is that with only 33 CS programs statewide and enormous variation (MIT and Harvard graduates earn nearly double the state median), these estimates offer limited precision for Gordon specifically.

What we do know: Massachusetts CS graduates generally fare well, with the state median matching Gordon's estimated figure and sitting 21% above the national benchmark of $71,000. The relatively low estimated debt—below both state and national medians—suggests Gordon may be controlling costs effectively for a private liberal arts college. For context, the school serves a predominantly non-Pell student body (only 21% receive Pell grants) with decent academic credentials (1268 SAT average), which can correlate with stronger employment networks.

The practical reality is that you're betting on a small program without its own earnings track record. If Gordon's CS grads perform anywhere near the state average, the investment makes financial sense. But families should verify current placement outcomes directly with the department—where graduates land their first jobs matters enormously in this field.