Computer and Information Sciences at Lebanon Valley College

Pennsylvania's computer science programs show a dramatic spread, from University of Pennsylvania's $146,000 outcomes to far more modest figures at smaller schools. Based on comparable programs across the state, Lebanon Valley College's computer science degree appears to track close to Pennsylvania's median—around $57,000 in first-year earnings against roughly $27,000 in debt. That 0.47 debt-to-earnings ratio falls into manageable territory, though it's worth noting these figures come from peer programs rather than LVC's actual graduate outcomes.

The challenge here is opportunity cost. Similar programs in Pennsylvania suggest solid middle-class earnings, but the national computer science median sits at $61,000—and the field's strength is that many schools produce significantly better outcomes. With an admission rate of 75% and average SAT of 1190, your child likely has options at programs where actual reported data shows stronger returns. Computer science is unusually portable as a major; the curriculum matters less than you'd think compared to internship opportunities and regional employer connections.

If Lebanon Valley offers specific advantages—strong faculty relationships, location preference, or a particularly good financial aid package beyond these debt estimates—it could still make sense. But for a field where outcomes vary this widely even within Pennsylvania, you'd want concrete reasons to choose a program performing at the state median over alternatives with demonstrated track records of higher earnings.