Analysis
A computer science degree from Indiana University-East appears positioned right in the middle of Indiana's tech education landscape. Drawing from comparable programs across the state, graduates can expect starting salaries around $62,000βexactly matching Indiana's median for this major and nearly identical to the national benchmark of $61,300. The estimated $23,000 in debt translates to a manageable ratio of 0.38, meaning roughly four months of that first-year salary would cover the full loan balance.
What's worth noting is how this regional campus stacks up against Indiana's tech heavyweights. While Notre Dame grads command $96,500 and Purdue's flagship sees $72,000, IU-East appears to deliver similar outcomes to larger state institutions like Purdue Northwest and IU-Bloomington at potentially lower cost. For students who need to stay close to Richmond or prefer a smaller campus environment, the earnings gap may matter less than accessibility and fit.
The caveat: these figures come from peer institutions rather than IU-East's own graduates, so there's inherent uncertainty. But the consistency across Indiana's public universities suggests the state's tech job market rewards the credential itself more than the specific campus. If your child can handle the coursework and wants to stay in-state for tech careers, the debt-to-earnings math worksβjust recognize you're betting on regional market patterns rather than school-specific track records.
Where Indiana University-East Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all computer and information sciences bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Indiana
Computer and Information Sciences bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Indiana (25 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $8,179 | $61,699* | β | $23,196* | β | |
| $62,693 | $96,517* | $118,767 | $19,000* | 0.20 | |
| $9,992 | $72,132* | $84,996 | $19,985* | 0.28 | |
| $11,790 | $62,350* | $79,394 | $19,500* | 0.31 | |
| $10,110 | $61,977* | $64,526 | $54,293* | 0.88 | |
| $8,419 | $61,699* | β | $18,700* | 0.30 | |
| National Median | β | $61,322* | β | $25,000* | 0.41 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with computer and information sciences graduates
Computer and Information Systems Managers
Computer and Information Research Scientists
Software Developers
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers
Computer Network Architects
Telecommunications Engineering Specialists
Information Security Analysts
Database Administrators
Database Architects
Data Warehousing Specialists
Data Scientists
Business Intelligence Analysts
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Indiana University-East, approximately 34% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 9 similar programs in IN. Actual outcomes may vary.