Location: Riverside, CA•In-State Tuition: $35,910•Admission Rate: 93%
Est. Earnings (1yr)
$68,398
Est. from CA median (39 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$22,949
Est. from CA median (11 programs)

Analysis

La Sierra's Computer Science program appears positioned in California's middle tier, where peer institutions suggest first-year earnings around $68,400—roughly on par with the state median but well below what UC Berkeley and Stanford graduates command. For a highly open-admission school serving a predominantly middle-class student body (47% Pell-eligible), this represents a practical pathway into tech rather than direct competition with elite programs.

The estimated $22,900 debt load translates to a 0.34 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates would owe about four months of their starting salary. This falls within reasonable territory for a technical degree, though comparable California CS programs typically carry slightly less debt ($17,750 median). The difference matters less here given that computer science credentials generally translate into steady employment opportunities across the Riverside-San Bernardino metro area and broader Southern California tech ecosystem.

What's harder to assess without school-specific data is how well La Sierra's particular curriculum and industry connections translate into job placement. The estimates suggest a workable investment if your child secures typical CS employment, but the wide range among California programs—from $68,000 to $173,000—underscores how much outcomes depend on factors beyond the degree itself. If your child gets in elsewhere with reported data showing strong placement, that removes significant guesswork from this decision.

Where La Sierra University Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all computer science bachelors's programs nationally

La Sierra University (estimated ±10%)Other computer science programs

Dashed lines show national medians. Upper-left = best value.

Compare to Similar Programs in California

Computer Science bachelors's programs at peer institutions in California (54 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
La Sierra UniversityRiverside$35,910$68,398*—$22,949*—
California Institute of TechnologyPasadena$63,255$173,344*——*—
University of California-BerkeleyBerkeley$14,850$149,866*$178,867$13,900*0.09
Pomona CollegeClaremont$62,326$143,084*——*—
Stanford UniversityStanford$62,484$138,613*$200,950$10,399*0.08
University of Southern CaliforniaLos Angeles$68,237$137,284*$143,152$20,178*0.15
National Median—$70,950*—$23,374*0.33
* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with computer science graduates

Computer and Information Systems Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as electronic data processing, information systems, systems analysis, and computer programming.

$171,200/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Computer and Information Research Scientists

Conduct research into fundamental computer and information science as theorists, designers, or inventors. Develop solutions to problems in the field of computer hardware and software.

$140,910/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Software Developers

Research, design, and develop computer and network software or specialized utility programs. Analyze user needs and develop software solutions, applying principles and techniques of computer science, engineering, and mathematical analysis. Update software or enhance existing software capabilities. May work with computer hardware engineers to integrate hardware and software systems, and develop specifications and performance requirements. May maintain databases within an application area, working individually or coordinating database development as part of a team.

$131,450/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers

Develop and execute software tests to identify software problems and their causes. Test system modifications to prepare for implementation. Document software and application defects using a bug tracking system and report defects to software or web developers. Create and maintain databases of known defects. May participate in software design reviews to provide input on functional requirements, operational characteristics, product designs, and schedules.

$131,450/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Information Security Analysts

Plan, implement, upgrade, or monitor security measures for the protection of computer networks and information. Assess system vulnerabilities for security risks and propose and implement risk mitigation strategies. May ensure appropriate security controls are in place that will safeguard digital files and vital electronic infrastructure. May respond to computer security breaches and viruses.

$124,910/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Database Architects

Design strategies for enterprise databases, data warehouse systems, and multidimensional networks. Set standards for database operations, programming, query processes, and security. Model, design, and construct large relational databases or data warehouses. Create and optimize data models for warehouse infrastructure and workflow. Integrate new systems with existing warehouse structure and refine system performance and functionality.

$123,100/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Data Warehousing Specialists

Design, model, or implement corporate data warehousing activities. Program and configure warehouses of database information and provide support to warehouse users.

$123,100/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Data Scientists

Develop and implement a set of techniques or analytics applications to transform raw data into meaningful information using data-oriented programming languages and visualization software. Apply data mining, data modeling, natural language processing, and machine learning to extract and analyze information from large structured and unstructured datasets. Visualize, interpret, and report data findings. May create dynamic data reports.

$112,590/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Business Intelligence Analysts

Produce financial and market intelligence by querying data repositories and generating periodic reports. Devise methods for identifying data patterns and trends in available information sources.

$112,590/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Clinical Data Managers

Apply knowledge of health care and database management to analyze clinical data, and to identify and report trends.

$112,590/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Computer Programmers

Create, modify, and test the code and scripts that allow computer applications to run. Work from specifications drawn up by software and web developers or other individuals. May develop and write computer programs to store, locate, and retrieve specific documents, data, and information.

$98,670/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Web Developers

Develop and implement websites, web applications, application databases, and interactive web interfaces. Evaluate code to ensure that it is properly structured, meets industry standards, and is compatible with browsers and devices. Optimize website performance, scalability, and server-side code and processes. May develop website infrastructure and integrate websites with other computer applications.

$95,380/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree
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 La Sierra University, approximately 47% 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 39 similar programs in CA. Actual outcomes may vary.