Computer and Information Sciences at Pennsylvania College of Technology

Pennsylvania College of Technology's computer science graduates face a puzzling tradeoff: relatively manageable debt paired with earnings that trail most competitors. At $56,714, first-year salaries land below both the Pennsylvania median ($57,260) and national average ($61,322), placing graduates in the 40th percentile statewide. Meanwhile, the $31,000 debt load, while higher than the national median for this degree, translates to a reasonable 0.55 debt-to-earnings ratio—meaning graduates owe just over half their first-year salary.

The real concern here is the opportunity cost. Pennsylvania hosts 62 schools offering this degree, and graduates from schools like Wilkes University start at $83,000—nearly $27,000 more annually than Penn College grads. Even accounting for potential differences in program intensity or geographic placement, that's a significant earnings gap for students entering the same tech job market. For families choosing this program primarily on cost considerations, remember that higher debt at a stronger-earning program often pencils out better than lower debt with diminished earning power.

This makes sense if your child specifically wants a hands-on technical education and plans to stay in central Pennsylvania, where salary expectations differ from Philadelphia or Pittsburgh tech hubs. But if maximizing computer science earning potential is the priority, other Pennsylvania options deliver substantially better financial outcomes even after accounting for debt differences.