Computer and Information Sciences at Northern Kentucky University

Northern Kentucky University's computer science graduates earn $62,411 in their first year—solidly middle-of-the-pack nationally but significantly stronger than the Kentucky median of $50,498. This 60th percentile ranking within Kentucky matters more than you might think: with a 96% admission rate and modest SAT scores, NKU delivers tech employment outcomes that punch above its selectivity tier. The program trails flagship UK by $9,000 initially, but at $25,000 in median debt (half of what many private universities charge), students aren't paying a premium for the NKU name.

The earnings trajectory looks healthy, climbing 21% to $75,313 by year four. That 0.40 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates can reasonably pay off loans in under two years if they prioritize it. For Kentucky families especially, this represents a practical path into tech careers without the competitive admissions pressure of UK or the higher price tags elsewhere.

The value proposition here is straightforward: NKU won't land your child at a FAANG company straight out of college, but it'll prepare them for solid developer or IT roles in Cincinnati's tech sector, with manageable debt that won't derail their twenties. For students who need an accessible entry point into computing, this program delivers.