Computer and Information Sciences at Niagara University

Computer science programs in New York vary dramatically in outcomes—from over $100,000 at Cornell and Barnard to the state median of roughly $63,000 that Niagara's program appears to track with, based on comparable programs across the state. The $27,000 debt load sits slightly above the state median of $24,720, but remains manageable for a field where entry-level positions typically pay enough to absorb student loans without financial strain.

The 0.43 debt-to-earnings ratio tells a straightforward story: graduates would owe less than half their estimated first-year salary, putting monthly payments well within reach even on a junior developer's budget. What's more reassuring is that this debt figure falls in the 25th percentile nationally—meaning three-quarters of computer science programs burden students with more debt. For a private university, that's notable restraint.

The wildcard here is career preparation quality. Niagara lacks the reported outcomes and brand recognition of top New York tech schools, so success likely depends more on individual initiative—building a portfolio, completing internships, learning in-demand frameworks—than on the degree itself opening doors. If your child is self-motivated enough to leverage the degree as a foundation while doing that extra work, the financial fundamentals support it. If they're expecting the credential alone to launch a tech career, they'd face the same uphill climb at most schools outside the state's elite tier, just with less debt here than at many alternatives.