Computer and Information Sciences at Judson University

Technology degrees in Illinois span an enormous range—from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign graduates earning $113,503 their first year to more modest outcomes at smaller schools. Judson University's program, based on comparable computer science programs in Illinois, likely produces first-year earnings around $57,000. That tracks with the state median for this field but falls well below what peer programs at larger Illinois universities achieve.

The estimated debt load of roughly $24,500 creates a manageable 0.43 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates would owe less than half their first-year salary. This compares favorably to the national median debt for computer science degrees and suggests monthly loan payments that shouldn't overwhelm an entry-level tech salary. The practical reality: similar programs typically allow graduates to handle their debt burden without severe strain, though they're not launching careers with the same salary cushion as graduates from Illinois' research universities.

For families weighing this investment, understand you're looking at estimated outcomes derived from similar small programs in Illinois, not Judson's actual graduate data. The fundamentals—a tech degree with moderate debt—point toward financial viability. But the $50,000+ salary gap between Judson's likely outcomes and top-tier Illinois programs matters enormously over a career. If your student has the academic credentials (Judson admits 63% of applicants), exploring options at state universities or larger programs might yield significantly stronger returns on a similar debt investment.