Computer and Information Sciences at Lenoir-Rhyne University

Lenoir-Rhyne's computer science program sits right at the middle of what North Carolina tech graduates typically earn—around $54,000 first-year—but that's notably below the $61,000 national median. Based on comparable programs in the state, graduates here would face a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.46, which means roughly five months of gross income to cover the estimated $25,000 in loans. That's manageable math for a tech degree, though it's worth noting that several NC public universities report significantly stronger outcomes, with NC Central and East Carolina graduates earning $15,000-$20,000 more right out of the gate.

The challenge is that you're making this decision with limited visibility. The Department of Education suppresses both earnings and debt figures when graduate cohorts are too small to report, so these estimates are drawn from peer programs rather than actual Lenoir-Rhyne outcomes. For 40% of students here receiving Pell grants, that uncertainty matters more—there's less room for the program to underperform expectations. The estimated debt load is typical for NC private colleges, but if actual earnings trend lower or debt higher than these peer-based projections, the investment becomes considerably less attractive.

If your child is choosing Lenoir-Rhyne for specific reasons—location, campus fit, smaller class sizes—the estimated numbers suggest this program wouldn't be a financial disaster. But if the decision is purely about tech career preparation, the stronger reported outcomes at NC's public universities make them harder to ignore, especially when they likely come with lower sticker prices.