Computer and Information Sciences at Sacred Heart University

Sacred Heart's computer science program leaves its graduates notably behind their Connecticut peers—ranking in just the 25th percentile statewide with first-year earnings of $58,214, while the typical Connecticut CS grad earns $75,649. Even Western Connecticut State, a public university with lower sticker prices, produces graduates earning $20,000 more annually. The gap widens when you consider that Sacred Heart grads carry above-average debt for Connecticut ($26,908 vs. the state median of $19,591).

The program does show solid earnings growth—24% from year one to year four—and the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.46 is manageable. But that growth still leaves graduates at $72,115 after four years, thousands below where many Connecticut programs start. Nationally, Sacred Heart performs slightly below average (42nd percentile), which raises questions about whether you're getting full value from a private school education in a field where public universities often deliver stronger outcomes.

For families paying private school tuition in Connecticut, this is a concerning value proposition. Your child would graduate with more debt and lower earning potential than classmates who chose UConn or even regional state schools. Unless Sacred Heart offers specific program features or connections that justify the gap, Connecticut families should seriously consider the state's public options for computer science.