Computer and Information Sciences at Monroe University

Monroe University's computer science program lands graduates at $41,150 after one year—roughly $20,000 below what most New York tech graduates earn and among the bottom 10% of computer science programs statewide. That's a significant gap in an industry where entry-level salaries typically start higher, especially in the New York metro area where cost of living demands stronger earning power. While the modest debt load of $27,000 keeps the burden manageable relative to first-year earnings, you're still borrowing near the national median to access below-market outcomes.

The 22% earnings growth to $50,323 by year four suggests graduates can advance, but even this improved figure trails the typical New York computer science graduate by $12,000 annually. When state university programs like Stony Brook place graduates at $90,000+, the difference compounds dramatically over a career. Monroe serves a predominantly lower-income student body (58% Pell recipients), which speaks to its mission, but anxious parents need to recognize that this program isn't opening the same doors as comparably-priced SUNY alternatives.

For families banking on computer science as a reliable path to financial security, this program underdelivers on the field's typical promise. The debt is reasonable, but the earnings suggest graduates may struggle to access the higher-paying tech roles that make CS degrees worthwhile investments.