Computer and Information Sciences at Regent University

Tech careers typically reward early momentum, but something appears off here. While peer programs in Virginia suggest graduates might earn around $68,000 in their first year out—a solid start for a computer science degree—reported earnings actually drop to $60,000 by year four. That's unusual in a field where salaries normally climb steeply as developers gain experience and specialize.

The estimated $27,000 debt load sits near Virginia's median for similar programs and translates to a debt-to-earnings ratio under 0.40, which would be manageable if that initial earning trajectory held. But the backward earnings trend raises questions about whether graduates are finding the kind of technical roles that lead to career growth, or settling into positions that don't capitalize on their credentials. For context, graduates from UVA and Virginia Tech—the state's flagship tech programs—start above $96,000, nearly 40% higher than these estimated figures suggest.

The takeaway: If your child attends Regent for computer science, they should treat internships and networking as non-negotiable. The estimated numbers suggest reasonable value on paper, but the declining earnings pattern means graduates may need to be especially proactive about securing roles that build technical skills and lead somewhere. Without a clear path to growth, even modest debt can become a weight.