Computer and Information Sciences at Saint Augustine's University

Based on peer programs across North Carolina, computer science graduates typically earn around $54,000 in their first year—putting this program right at the state median but trailing the national benchmark of $61,000 by about $7,000. The estimated $25,000 debt load yields a reasonable 0.46 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates would owe less than half their first-year salary. For families concerned about affordability, that's a manageable starting point, especially given that 52% of Saint Augustine's students receive Pell grants.

The challenge here isn't the debt—it's the earnings gap. Other NC computer science programs show considerably stronger outcomes: NC Central graduates report $75,000, East Carolina $69,000, and even UNC Charlotte comes in at $61,000. That's a potential $15,000 difference in starting salary compared to stronger programs in the same state. In a field where entry-level salaries matter enormously for long-term career trajectory, that gap compounds quickly.

Since these figures are estimates derived from similar NC programs rather than actual outcomes from Saint Augustine's graduates, treat them as directional. The key question is whether this specific program can help your child access the stronger end of that NC range. Look for evidence of employer connections in Research Triangle Park, internship placement rates, and what companies actually recruit on campus—those indicators matter more than estimates when the school's own data isn't available.