Computer and Information Sciences at McDaniel College

McDaniel's computer science program aligns closely with Maryland's median outcomes—comparable programs across the state suggest first-year earnings around $63,300 against roughly $25,900 in debt. That 0.41 debt-to-earnings ratio is manageable by any standard, meaning graduates could theoretically pay off loans in less than half a year's salary. For a smaller liberal arts college with an 84% admission rate, that's solid positioning in Maryland's competitive tech education landscape.

However, context matters here. Top programs in the state—Johns Hopkins at $109,500, UMD Global Campus at $75,600—demonstrate the wide variation in outcomes even within Maryland. While McDaniel's estimated performance sits near the state median, it falls well short of what peer institutions achieve. The question becomes whether the liberal arts environment and smaller class sizes justify that earnings gap, particularly when larger universities often provide stronger tech industry connections and recruiting pipelines.

The financial fundamentals work, but you're looking at middle-of-the-pack results in a field where program selection dramatically affects starting salary. If your child thrives in smaller settings and values the liberal arts experience, the debt load won't be crushing. But if maximizing early career earnings is the priority, Maryland offers several alternatives with significantly higher trajectories based on reported data.