Computer and Information Sciences at Northern Arizona University

Northern Arizona University's computer science program appears positioned in the middle of Arizona's competitive landscape, with peer programs suggesting first-year earnings around $59,400—near the state median but well behind ASU's $71,000. The estimated $15,300 in debt is notably lower than both the state median ($27,875) and national benchmark ($25,000), creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.26. That's a manageable starting point, assuming the earnings estimates hold.

The challenge is that these figures come from similar programs across Arizona, not NAU's actual graduates, so there's inherent uncertainty about how this specific program performs. The school's 91% admission rate and broad accessibility suggest it serves a different student population than highly selective tech programs, which could influence both networking opportunities and employer recruitment patterns. Computer science credentials generally travel well in the job market, but whether NAU grads capture the state median or fall below it depends heavily on factors like internship connections and whether students stay in Arizona's tech hubs versus Flagstaff's smaller market.

For families, the relatively low debt is the clearest advantage here—you're looking at roughly three months of first-year salary to cover borrowing if the earnings estimates prove accurate. That's a reasonable risk profile for a field with strong long-term prospects, though the lack of program-specific data means you're betting on NAU performing at least as well as its state peers.