Computer Science at Oregon State University

Oregon State's computer science program delivers strong financial outcomes that outperform national averages by a meaningful margin. With graduates earning $85,376 in their first year—$14,000 more than the national median—this program ranks in the 80th percentile nationally. The debt load of $26,000 is reasonable, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.30, meaning graduates can realistically pay off loans within three years if they dedicate 10% of their income.

Within Oregon, the picture is more competitive but still solid. OSU ranks in the 60th percentile among the state's eight computer science programs, essentially tied with University of Portland for the top spot. While Oregon's computer science programs generally perform well (the state median of $82,726 already exceeds the national average), OSU's graduates still earn about $2,650 more than the typical Oregon CS graduate. The modest 11% earnings growth from year one to year four suggests most graduates land good positions right out of college rather than starting in lower-paying roles.

For families considering this program, the numbers tell a reassuring story. OSU combines accessible admission (79% acceptance rate) with strong career outcomes, making it a practical choice for students who want solid computer science training without the pressure of elite-tier competition. The robust sample size of 100+ graduates gives confidence these results are reliable, not statistical noise.