Computer Science at Idaho State University

Idaho State's computer science program lands graduates at $62,829—nearly $11,000 below the state median and trailing all four comparable Idaho programs. With just five CS programs statewide, this 40th percentile ranking means it's essentially the lowest earner among Idaho's limited options. The debt load of $25,250 sits right at the state average, but when paired with below-average earnings, it creates a less favorable financial picture than what students could find at Boise State or even University of Idaho.

The small sample size here is worth noting—with fewer than 30 graduates in the data, a few outliers could skew these numbers significantly. That said, the consistent pattern of trailing both state and national benchmarks suggests this isn't just statistical noise. Computer science typically offers strong returns regardless of school, but this program's 31st percentile national ranking indicates graduates are starting behind their peers from day one.

For Idaho families, the calculus is straightforward: if your student can access Boise State (where grads earn $85,596) or even U of I, those programs deliver substantially better outcomes for similar debt levels. Idaho State might make sense for students with location constraints or specific research interests, but purely as an earnings investment, it's the weakest option in a state with limited CS choices.