Computer and Information Sciences at Juniata College

Comparable computer science programs in Pennsylvania suggest a first-year salary around $57,000—which lands right at the state median but about $4,000 below the national benchmark. That's not a red flag on its own, but it does mean Juniata's program, based on peer outcomes, tracks with Pennsylvania's overall market rather than standing out within it. The estimated $27,000 debt load produces a manageable 0.47 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates from similar programs typically earn double what they borrowed within their first year.

The challenge here is the wide dispersion across Pennsylvania programs. The state's top computer science degrees—at Penn, Swarthmore, and Villanova—produce first-year earnings of $83,000 to $146,000, nearly 50% to 150% higher than the median. That gap likely reflects both employer preferences and the networking advantages of more selective programs. Juniata's 72% acceptance rate and modest test scores suggest it occupies a different tier, and peer programs in that category appear to deliver solid but not spectacular outcomes.

For families comfortable with $27,000 in debt, these estimated figures suggest a workable path: earnings should cover loan payments without financial strain. But if your student has the credentials for Pennsylvania's more competitive programs, those alternatives show substantially higher earning trajectories. The key question is where else your child can get in—and whether Juniata's fit and environment justify accepting middle-of-the-pack returns when stronger programs might be within reach.