Computer Programming at Rowan University

The state data here is misleading—Rowan is the only school in New Jersey reporting data for this specific Computer Programming bachelor's degree, making it both the median and the only option by default. What matters is the national picture, and it's troubling: $41,799 in first-year earnings puts Rowan in just the 5th percentile nationally, meaning 95% of similar programs deliver better outcomes. For context, the national median is $50,242, and top programs reach $72,000+. That's an $8,400 gap that compounds significantly over a career.

The debt load of $25,000 is actually reasonable compared to the national median of $31,050, but when paired with below-average earnings, it creates a slow-burn problem. A 0.60 debt-to-earnings ratio is manageable but leaves less financial flexibility than graduates from stronger programs who earn more with similar or higher debt. The robust sample size (100+ graduates) confirms this isn't a data fluke—this is the consistent reality for this program's graduates.

For a parent weighing options, the question is straightforward: can your child access a computer programming program that performs closer to national norms? Whether that's a different major at Rowan (perhaps computer science), a different New Jersey school with stronger tech industry connections, or an out-of-state option, nearly any alternative appears likely to deliver better starting earnings. The modest debt doesn't offset being in the bottom 5% nationally for graduate outcomes.