Computer Science at Juniata College

Computer science programs in Pennsylvania show a dramatic range, from Carnegie Mellon's stratospheric $171,000 to more modest outcomes in the $60,000s. Based on comparable programs across the state, Juniata graduates would likely enter around $67,000—precisely at Pennsylvania's median but trailing the national benchmark by about $3,600. The estimated debt of roughly $27,000 produces a manageable 0.40 ratio, meaning graduates could theoretically pay off loans with about five months of first-year earnings.

What's harder to assess is where Juniata specifically sits within that state median. The school's 72% admission rate and 1185 average SAT suggest a solid mid-tier institution, but Pennsylvania's computer science landscape is dominated by powerhouse programs that pull in significantly more for their graduates. Whether Juniata's curriculum, career services, and alumni network can position students toward the higher end of comparable programs—or leave them toward the lower end—remains unclear without actual outcome data.

For parents, the practical question is opportunity cost. If your child could access one of Pennsylvania's stronger programs (Pitt, Penn State, Temple), the earnings gap could be substantial. But if Juniata offers strong fit, smaller class sizes, or better financial aid that reduces that $27,000 debt figure, a solid computer science foundation with manageable debt isn't a poor foundation—just one that likely won't match the state's elite programs.