Computer Science at Radford University

Radford's Computer Science program lands squarely in the middle of Virginia's tech education landscape—and that middle position comes with a meaningful price discount. At $26,000 in debt, graduates face half the financial burden they'd carry from many peer institutions, while starting salaries of $66,857 sit just below the state median of $72,128. That's roughly $5,000 less than Christopher Newport or the state average, but the debt difference often makes up for the earnings gap in the early years.

The 22% earnings jump by year four—climbing to $81,648—suggests Radford graduates are competitive once they establish themselves in the workforce. That trajectory closes much of the initial gap with higher-ranked programs. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.39 means a typical graduate owes about five months of their first year's salary, which is manageable territory for a field with steady employment prospects. Virginia's tech corridor provides strong job opportunities regardless of which in-state program you choose.

For families prioritizing affordability without sacrificing access to the tech sector, Radford delivers a workable path. You're trading some initial salary potential for significantly lower debt, and the moderate earnings growth suggests that tradeoff doesn't lock students into a lower career trajectory long-term.