Computer Science at Purdue University Fort Wayne

First-year earnings around $39,000 put this associate's degree near the national midpoint for computer science programs at this level, which isn't necessarily cause for celebration. Similar two-year computer science programs nationally show a wide range, with top-performing schools pushing closer to $49,000—suggesting that where you study and what specific skills you gain can make a meaningful difference. The estimated $12,500 debt load is manageable, translating to a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.32, but the modest starting salary means you're looking at roughly a third of that first year's income going toward loan payments if your child follows standard repayment schedules.

The real question is opportunity cost. An associate's in computer science can be a stepping stone—either into the workforce for hands-on IT roles or toward completing a bachelor's degree later. But peer programs suggest that many graduates aren't immediately landing the kind of tech positions that justify even moderate educational investment. Indiana has only a handful of these programs, and without reported outcomes from any of them, it's hard to know whether Purdue Fort Wayne's specific curriculum and employer connections deliver better results than these national averages suggest.

The bottom line: this looks like a calculated risk rather than a sure bet. If your child plans to transfer credits toward a four-year degree, the debt burden stays reasonable. But as a terminal credential for entering the tech workforce, these estimated earnings suggest checking closely on actual job placement rates and starting positions before committing.