Computer and Information Sciences at Mercy University

Starting at $47,967 puts Mercy's computer science graduates well behind the curve in a state where the median tech graduate earns $62,592. That's a $15,000 gap in an industry where New York employers are paying top dollar—Cornell and NYU grads start above $85,000, and even public institutions like Stony Brook place graduates around $90,000. For a program where most NY schools cluster near $63,000, Mercy's outcomes sit in the bottom quarter statewide.

The estimated debt of $26,955—based on similar private programs across New York—would typically represent a manageable burden with stronger first-year earnings. Here, it means graduates face a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.56, higher than ideal when peers at other schools are earning 30% more right out of the gate. Tech careers do tend to accelerate quickly, but starting this far behind in one of the country's most expensive metros creates real financial pressure during those crucial early years.

With nearly half of students receiving Pell grants, many families are counting on this degree to deliver solid middle-class outcomes. Computer science should be a reliable path to financial stability, but at these earnings levels, graduates may struggle more than expected in the New York job market. Before committing, look closely at internship placement rates and employer connections—the right co-op or summer position could bridge some of this earnings gap.