Computer and Information Sciences at Indiana State University

Indiana State's computer science graduates start at $44,293—about $17,000 below Indiana's median for tech programs and ranking in just the 25th percentile statewide. That's a significant gap in a state where even mid-tier programs like IU-Bloomington place graduates near $62,000, and where Purdue's network dominates the regional tech job market. With a 92% admission rate and 39% of students on Pell grants, Indiana State serves a more accessible population, but the earnings gap persists even as graduates gain experience.

The silver lining is meaningful growth: earnings jump 34% to $59,410 by year four, suggesting graduates eventually close some of that initial gap. At $23,196 in median debt—slightly above the state average but manageable at a 0.52 ratio to first-year earnings—students aren't taking on dangerous debt loads. However, that debt feels less justified when neighboring programs deliver $20,000+ more in starting salary for similar borrowing.

For families weighing Indiana State against alternatives, the calculation is straightforward: students trade significantly lower early earnings for broader access and reasonable debt. If your child has options at Purdue, IU, or similar programs, those deliver substantially better early-career outcomes. Indiana State might work if accessibility is paramount and the student is willing to work through those leaner first years, but recognize they'll be catching up to peers who started elsewhere for quite some time.