Computer Programming at Hodges University

Borrowing roughly $31,000 for a computer programming degree that leads to first-year earnings around $50,000—based on what similar bachelor's programs produce nationally—creates a manageable debt-to-income ratio of 0.62. That's within the range financial advisors consider reasonable, though it's worth noting that other computer programming programs in Florida typically see stronger outcomes, with the state median at nearly $59,000.

The challenge here is that we're working with estimates derived from peer institutions rather than Hodges's actual graduate outcomes, making it harder to gauge this specific program's track record. Computer programming is a field where practical skills and portfolio work often matter as much as the credential itself, and a smaller program might offer closer faculty mentorship or specialized training that larger schools can't provide. But without reported data, there's no way to verify whether Hodges graduates are securing the kinds of positions that justify the investment.

For anxious parents, the key question is whether this particular program offers something distinctive—industry connections in Southwest Florida, specialized curriculum, or job placement support—that compensates for the uncertainty in outcomes. At this price point and estimated earnings level, you'd want strong evidence that graduates are actually landing programming jobs, not just moving into general IT roles that might not require this degree.