Computer Science at Ohio University-Lancaster Campus

Ohio University-Lancaster's computer science program hits right at the state median for earnings—$73,932 after one year—while keeping debt roughly 8% below what most Ohio CS graduates carry. That 60th percentile ranking among Ohio programs means your child would be entering the tech job market on essentially equal footing with graduates from the state's median program, but with a bit less financial baggage.

The trajectory here is solid and predictable: graduates see steady 10% earnings growth to about $81,000 by year four, putting them near the national 75th percentile at that point. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.29 means your child could realistically pay off loans in under three years if they prioritized it, which is considerably better than many bachelor's programs across all fields. For context, Lancaster graduates earn just slightly less than those from University of Dayton while avoiding the private school price tag.

The straightforward value here is graduating with marketable tech skills and manageable debt from a regional campus. You're not getting Case Western's $95,000 starting salaries, but you're also likely avoiding the tuition premium that comes with that degree. If your child can live at home or keep living costs low while attending Lancaster, this becomes an even stronger investment—the debt figure suggests many students are already doing exactly that.