Computer and Information Sciences at Keene State College

Keene State's computer science program lands graduates in their first job earning nearly $20,000 less than the typical New Hampshire tech graduate—and about $13,000 below the national median. Among the state's eight programs, this ranks in just the 25th percentile, meaning three-quarters of comparable NH programs deliver better starting outcomes. The debt load of $26,798 sits right at state and national averages, but when paired with below-average starting salaries, the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.56 is workable rather than impressive.

The 51% earnings jump by year four offers some reassurance—graduates reach $72,272, suggesting real career progression in tech roles. However, the small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these numbers could swing significantly year to year. Compare this to University of New Hampshire graduates starting at $75,000 or even Plymouth State at $65,516, and the gap is hard to ignore.

For a family choosing between New Hampshire programs, this one trails its in-state competition meaningfully. If your child has admission offers from UNH or Plymouth State, those programs show stronger economic outcomes from day one. Keene State might make sense if it's substantially cheaper after aid or if your student has specific reasons to be in Keene, but from a pure earnings standpoint, this program underperforms both state and national peers.