Computer Science at Missouri State University-Springfield

Missouri State's computer science certificate program sits at an interesting crossroads: it underperforms nationally but actually represents the median outcome for Missouri. With first-year earnings of $63,175 and manageable debt of $21,166, graduates face a reasonable 0.34 debt-to-earnings ratio. However, the national comparison reveals the limitation—typical computer science certificate programs nationwide produce $77,000 in first-year earnings, nearly $14,000 more.

The state context matters here because Missouri has only three schools offering this credential, and this program ranks squarely in the middle at the 60th percentile. If your child plans to stay in Missouri for in-state tuition and job opportunities, this outcome may simply reflect the regional tech market rather than program weakness. The debt level is actually quite reasonable—below the national median—which keeps the financial risk contained even with the lower earnings.

For families considering this certificate as a quick entry into tech, the fundamentals work: debt stays under one-third of first-year earnings, and graduates clear $60,000 right away. But if your child has the option to pursue a similar credential in a stronger tech market or at a program with more robust industry connections, the $14,000 national earnings gap suggests that would be worth exploring. This is a functional credential, not an exceptional one.