Computer Programming at Minnesota State University-Mankato

With estimated debt of $25,000 against first-year earnings around $50,000, Minnesota State-Mankato's computer programming bachelor's appears positioned below the national debt median of $31,050 while tracking right at typical earnings for this degree. The 0.50 debt-to-earnings ratio suggests manageable repayment—graduates would dedicate roughly half their first year's salary to covering what they borrowed, which translates to monthly payments that shouldn't dominate their budget.

The challenge here is visibility. Because the DOE suppresses the actual outcomes data due to small graduate samples, we're relying on broader benchmarks from similar programs nationwide. Minnesota only has four schools offering this bachelor's degree, and the competitive landscape suggests earnings cluster tightly around that $50,000 mark. What's less clear is whether Minnesota State produces the stronger outcomes seen at top programs nationally (where graduates hit $72,000+) or simply matches the median.

For families weighing this investment, the lower estimated debt works in your favor—you're potentially borrowing $6,000 less than typical computer programming graduates. But you're making this decision without seeing how Minnesota State's specific graduates actually perform in the job market. If your student has admission options at schools with reported data showing higher earnings, that transparency might be worth considering alongside the cost comparison.