Computer and Information Sciences at Lindenwood University

Lindenwood's computer science program starts graduates near $61,000 but delivers impressive 28% earnings growth by year four, reaching nearly $78,000. That trajectory outpaces typical career progression in this field and shows the degree opens doors to better opportunities over time. However, at the 40th percentile among Missouri tech programs, first-year outcomes lag behind what students might find at schools like Missouri S&T ($77,000) or even regional options like Northwest Missouri State ($65,000).

The debt situation offers a bright spot: at $31,000, it's actually below-average for tech programs nationally (16th percentile) and only slightly above Missouri's median. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.51, graduates typically manage their loans comfortably while building toward those stronger mid-career earnings. The moderate sample size suggests stable program performance rather than year-to-year volatility.

For families weighing this against Missouri's more competitive tech programs, the question becomes whether Lindenwood's career services and growth potential justify starting $15,000 behind Missouri S&T graduates. If your student has admission options at top Missouri public universities, those deliver better immediate returns. But for students who fit Lindenwood's profile (66% admission rate suggests accessibility), the combination of manageable debt and solid earnings growth makes this a workable path into technology careers—just not the state's most efficient one.