Computer and Information Sciences at Lafayette College

Lafayette's highly selective computer science program produces estimated first-year earnings around $57,000—squarely in line with Pennsylvania's median but noticeably below the national benchmark of $61,000. For a school with an average SAT of 1419 and just a 31% admission rate, this feels modest, especially when comparable selective institutions in the state like Lehigh and Villanova report tech graduates earning well into the $80,000s.

The estimated $27,000 in debt translates to a manageable 0.47 ratio to first-year earnings, which means graduates would theoretically owe less than half their annual salary. That's workable for most families. But the gap between Lafayette's estimated outcomes and what top-tier Pennsylvania programs deliver is substantial—some schools are producing graduates who earn nearly 50% more right out of the gate. Given Lafayette's selectivity and reputation, you'd expect figures closer to those leaders, not clustered at the state median.

The data here is derived entirely from peer programs, so there's real uncertainty about whether Lafayette's actual outcomes match, exceed, or trail these estimates. If your child is choosing between Lafayette and a program with proven strong earnings data, that comparison matters. This isn't a poor investment by any measure, but the estimated numbers don't yet demonstrate the premium outcomes you might expect from such a selective school.