Computer and Information Sciences at Hope College

First-year earnings of $61,325 place Hope College's computer science program right at the national median, but notably behind the typical Michigan CS graduate who earns about $67,000—and well below what students at Michigan State ($86,192) or even nearby Grand Valley State ($74,360) are making. Based on comparable programs nationally, graduates likely carry around $25,860 in debt, creating a manageable 0.42 debt-to-earnings ratio. This means the debt could theoretically be paid off in roughly five months of gross earnings, which is solid by any measure.

The 20% earnings growth to $73,259 by year four shows reasonable career progression, though it doesn't close the gap with stronger state programs. What's harder to assess is whether Hope's smaller, more intimate learning environment (evident in the data suppression due to small cohorts) translates into networking advantages or career support that aren't captured in these salary figures. The school's low Pell grant population (16%) and solid SAT scores (1237) suggest you're paying for a well-resourced peer environment, but Michigan's competitive tech landscape clearly rewards graduates from larger research universities more generously.

If your child values Hope's distinctive campus culture and Christian mission, the financial picture isn't prohibitive—but they should understand they're accepting a measurable earnings discount compared to in-state alternatives. The debt is reasonable regardless, making this more about opportunity cost than financial risk.