Computer Science at Metropolitan State University of Denver

Metropolitan State University of Denver's computer science program offers something many families seeking tech careers will appreciate: strong earnings growth paired with manageable debt. While first-year graduates earn $73,874—slightly below Colorado's median for CS programs—incomes jump 34% to $99,081 by year four. That $22,736 in typical debt represents just four months of first-year salary, creating a debt burden that's essentially negligible by tech industry standards.

The tradeoff here is clear. This program ranks in the 40th percentile among Colorado's nine CS programs, trailing schools like Mines and CU Boulder by roughly $13,000-$25,000 in starting salary. But MSU Denver's 99% admission rate and lower costs make it accessible to students who might not gain entry to more selective programs. For a first-generation college student or career-changer—common at this urban commuter campus—that accessibility matters. The earnings trajectory shows graduates catch up quickly once they gain experience in Denver's tech market.

The real question is whether your child can leverage MSU Denver's location in downtown Denver to land internships and entry-level positions at the city's growing number of tech employers. With solid outcomes at a fraction of the debt many programs carry, this represents a practical path into software development—just expect to work harder initially to compete with graduates from Colorado's top-ranked programs.