Computer and Information Sciences at Middle Georgia State University

Middle Georgia State's computer science program starts behind but shows impressive momentum, with graduates seeing their earnings jump 32% from $47,825 to $63,148 within four years. That year-four figure actually catches up to both the Georgia and national medians, even though first-year earnings rank in just the 25th percentile among Georgia programs. The debt load of $25,988 is reasonable and below the state average, creating a manageable 0.54 ratio to first-year earnings that improves significantly as graduates gain experience.

The catch is that initial earning power. Middle Georgia State graduates start roughly $13,500 below the typical Georgia CS graduate and trail far behind elite state programs like Georgia Tech ($105,137) or even mid-tier options like Georgia State ($65,439). For a student who can access those alternatives, the tradeoff matters. However, for students drawn to Middle Georgia State's open admission policy and strong support for lower-income students (41% receive Pell grants), the program offers a legitimate path into tech careers without crushing debt.

This works best for students who need an accessible entry point and can weather lower starting salaries, banking on the solid growth trajectory. The four-year earnings data suggests employers do value the degree once graduates build experience—just expect to start a step behind peers from more selective programs.