Computer Science at Haverford College

A highly selective liberal arts college charging debt levels near the Pennsylvania median for computer science degrees doesn't align with what families might expect given Haverford's 13% admission rate and 1498 average SAT. Based on comparable programs across Pennsylvania, graduates here would earn around $67,310 in their first year—essentially matching the state median but trailing the national benchmark of $70,950. More concerning is the gap with peer institutions: Carnegie Mellon and Penn graduates in this field start at six figures, while even regional competitors like Drexel and Pitt produce substantially higher early earnings.

The estimated debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.40 looks reasonable on paper, but the underlying picture is less reassuring. You're potentially paying for an elite education that produces middle-of-the-pack outcomes in a field where program quality matters enormously for initial placement. The small graduate sample that triggered this estimation suggests Haverford awards relatively few computer science degrees—which could mean limited industry connections or a less developed tech pipeline compared to schools with established CS programs.

For families considering this investment, the question is whether Haverford's liberal arts approach justifies outcomes that mirror state averages rather than reflecting its selectivity. If your student is set on this school, the computer science program appears serviceable but unremarkable—they'll likely need to work harder independently to reach the salary levels that other selective schools deliver more reliably.