Computer Science at Saint Augustine's University

Based on comparable computer science bachelor's programs in North Carolina, Saint Augustine's graduates would start around $67,700—squarely at the state median but about $3,200 below the national benchmark. The estimated $25,000 in debt translates to a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.37, meaning graduates would owe roughly 4.4 months of their first-year salary. That's reasonable financing for a tech degree, particularly at a school where more than half of students receive Pell grants and may have fewer alternative pathways into computer science careers.

The catch is uncertainty. The Department of Education suppresses this program's actual outcomes because too few graduates reported earnings data—we're working from what similar NC programs produce, not proven results from Saint Augustine's itself. The state's computer science landscape shows enormous variation, with top programs like Duke ($133,000) and NC State ($85,800) commanding significantly higher starting salaries. Whether Saint Augustine's can deliver outcomes comparable to the state median, or whether its graduates face additional barriers in the competitive tech job market, remains unknown.

For families investing $25,000 in debt, the estimated numbers suggest reasonable value if they materialize. But without actual graduate outcomes, you're essentially betting that Saint Augustine's computer science program performs like an average NC school rather than trailing behind. If tech employment is the goal, consider how this program's career services and industry connections compare to alternatives where actual salary data confirms strong placement.