Computer and Information Sciences at Rutgers University-Newark

Rutgers University-Newark's Computer Science program delivers exceptional value that puts it among the nation's elite. With first-year earnings of $80,448—ranking in the 95th percentile nationally—graduates earn 31% more than the typical computer science graduate nationwide ($61,322). Among New Jersey's competitive tech landscape, this program ranks in the 80th percentile and essentially ties for the top spot with Rutgers' flagship New Brunswick campus.

The financial picture is compelling: at $21,500 in median debt, students graduate owing less than both national and state averages, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.27. This means graduates can theoretically pay off their entire debt load in about 3.5 months of their starting salary. The 42% earnings growth to $114,399 by year four demonstrates strong career trajectory in a field where skills compound rapidly.

What makes this particularly attractive is the accessibility—with a 79% admission rate and 56% of students receiving Pell grants, this isn't an exclusive program gatekeeping opportunity. The robust sample size of 100+ graduates gives confidence these aren't outlier results. For a parent weighing college investments, this represents one of the clearest cases of strong ROI: elite-level outcomes at a public university price point, with manageable debt loads that won't constrain your child's early career choices.