Computer and Information Sciences at Houghton University

Based on peer programs across New York, a computer science bachelor's degree from Houghton appears to track close to typical outcomes for the state—with estimated first-year earnings around $63,000 and debt of roughly $27,000. That 0.43 debt-to-earnings ratio suggests manageable repayment for graduates entering a field with steady demand. However, it's worth noting the wide range among New York tech programs: elite schools like Cornell and Barnard report outcomes exceeding $100,000, while Houghton's estimates place it near the state median.

The challenge here is uncertainty. With a 93% admission rate and a third of students on Pell grants, Houghton serves a different population than the state's top-tier programs, yet we don't have specific outcomes data to confirm whether its graduates actually achieve state-typical results. Similar New York programs suggest this debt level is reasonable, but without reported figures for Houghton itself, parents can't know if the school's career services, alumni network, or curriculum produce comparable placements.

For families considering this investment, the estimated numbers aren't alarming—computer science degrees generally lead to stable employment even at modest debt levels. But given Houghton's small graduate cohorts in this major, it's essential to investigate job placement specifics directly with the school before committing. Ask where recent CS graduates actually landed and at what salaries, because state-wide estimates can only tell you so much about this particular program's track record.