Computer and Information Sciences at Metropolitan State University

Metropolitan State's computer science program earns its graduates about $15,000 less than the typical Minnesota tech grad—a significant gap that should factor into any decision. While the first-year salary of $59,158 isn't far below the national median, it lands in just the 25th percentile among Minnesota programs, trailing state schools like Minnesota State-Mankato by over $12,000. Given Minnesota's relatively small but competitive CS landscape, this positioning suggests graduates may struggle to access the state's stronger tech opportunities, particularly in the Twin Cities market where many employers pay premium salaries.

The debt load of $26,113 is manageable and close to both state and national norms, yielding a reasonable 0.44 debt-to-earnings ratio. Metropolitan State serves a heavily Pell-eligible population (44%), and for students who need an accessible entry point into tech, this represents a workable financial outcome. However, the program's small graduating class—under 30 students—raises questions about curriculum breadth, internship pipelines, and employer relationships that often matter as much as coursework in landing that first job.

For families weighing this option, the decision hinges on alternatives. If your student can access one of Minnesota's stronger CS programs, the earnings premium could mean $50,000+ more over just four years. But if Metropolitan State's open admissions and location work best for your situation, the debt-to-earnings fundamentals won't sink your child's career—they'll just need to work harder to close the earnings gap early on.