Computer and Information Sciences at Ohio University-Southern Campus

Ohio University-Southern Campus's computer science program produces graduates earning just below the state median, despite carrying debt that's slightly above it—a combination that places it solidly in the middle tier of Ohio's 39 programs. At $48,515 in the first year and climbing to $53,053 by year four, these earnings lag well behind flagship programs like Ohio State or Cincinnati, where graduates start near $70,000-$80,000. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.64 isn't alarming, but it reflects the fundamental challenge: you're paying close to state-average debt for below-state-average outcomes.

The program's 40th percentile ranking within Ohio tells the real story. You're not getting bottom-tier results, but you're also not approaching the value of nearby alternatives. With moderate earnings growth and starting salaries that trail the national average by nearly $13,000, graduates face a longer climb to financial stability than peers at better-performing programs. The low Pell grant percentage (12%) suggests this isn't serving as an access point for low-income students the way regional campuses often do.

For families considering this program, the calculation is straightforward: if you have viable alternatives among Ohio's higher-performing regional or main campuses, those represent meaningfully better investments. If Southern Campus offers unique advantages—geographic proximity, family obligations, part-time flexibility—understand you're accepting a trade-off in earning potential that will take years to offset.