Computer Programming at Hardin-Simmons University

Based on comparable computer programming bachelor's programs nationwide, Hardin-Simmons graduates might expect around $50,000 in first-year earnings against roughly $31,000 in debt—a manageable 0.62 ratio that suggests the credential pays for itself relatively quickly. However, the state picture tells a different story: Texas programs typically produce much stronger outcomes, with median earnings near $74,000. That $24,000 gap represents real money—about $2,000 monthly—that could accelerate debt payoff or fund graduate school.

The challenge here is uncertainty. With too few graduates to generate school-specific data, parents are essentially betting that Hardin-Simmons will perform like the national median rather than matching the stronger Texas standard set by larger programs. For a school with a 97% admission rate serving a significant population of Pell-eligible students, this isn't necessarily a strike against quality—smaller cohorts in technical fields are common at liberal arts institutions. But it does mean you're operating without the employment track record you'd have at schools with published outcomes.

The practical question becomes whether Hardin-Simmons offers something—perhaps smaller classes, specific faculty mentorship, or regional employer connections—that justifies accepting this uncertainty when larger Texas programs show clearer paths to higher earnings. If your student values the environment here and can graduate near that $31,000 debt estimate, the national-level earnings still support a reasonable return. Just recognize you're making that decision with less visibility than you'd prefer.