Computer Software and Media Applications at New York University

NYU's computer software program starts graduates at $42,891—a figure that barely edges ahead of the national and state medians, despite the university's 9% acceptance rate and 1527 average SAT score. The $22,750 debt load is lower than typical for this field, but here's the real concern: with a small sample size (under 30 graduates), these numbers may not represent the typical graduate's experience. A few outliers could be skewing the picture in either direction.

The gap between NYU's prestige and these outcomes is striking. Rochester Institute of Technology's comparable program launches graduates at $69,052—61% higher earnings. While NYU beats many local competitors like School of Visual Arts and The New School, those schools likely cost less and don't require the academic credentials NYU demands. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.53 is manageable, but that's partially because debt is moderate, not because earnings are impressive.

If your child already has an NYU acceptance in hand for this specific program, proceed carefully. The small sample means next year's cohort could see very different outcomes. For a highly selective institution charging premium tuition, starting salaries in the low-$40Ks should prompt a hard conversation about whether this particular major makes financial sense at this particular school, especially when RIT offers much stronger returns in the same market.