Computer and Information Sciences at Purdue University-Main Campus

Purdue's computer science program delivers strong outcomes at a price point that makes the degree feel almost underpriced. Starting at $72,132—nearly $11,000 above the national median—graduates carry just under $20,000 in debt, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.28 that most families would consider comfortable. This isn't just competitive on paper; it's in the 77th percentile nationally for earnings.

Within Indiana, Purdue sits behind only Notre Dame (which costs significantly more) and ahead of every other public option by meaningful margins. At the 60th percentile statewide, it's solidly mid-pack for Indiana but well above what most states offer. The 18% earnings growth over four years suggests graduates aren't hitting an immediate ceiling—they're building careers with room to advance.

The real story here is value: you're getting outcomes that rival expensive private programs with debt levels that won't dominate your child's post-graduation budget. For families who can secure in-state tuition at Purdue, this represents one of the clearer positive returns in computer science education. Even out-of-state families should weigh this seriously against alternatives, particularly if they're comparing it to private universities with similar or lower earnings outcomes.