Computer Engineering at Saint Cloud State University

Saint Cloud State's computer engineering program lands squarely in the middle of the pack—graduates earn about $78,000 in their first year, slightly below both the national median ($79,000) and Minnesota's state median ($82,000). At the 40th percentile among Minnesota's seven computer engineering programs, this means three-fifths of in-state alternatives deliver better starting salaries. The gap with Minnesota's flagship is notable: University of Minnesota-Twin Cities graduates start at $86,000, an $8,000 annual difference that compounds significantly over a career.

The program's strongest selling point is affordability. At $27,000 in median debt—sitting in just the 5th percentile nationally—students borrow substantially less than peers elsewhere. This creates a favorable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.35, meaning graduates can theoretically pay off their loans in about four months of gross salary. For comparison, the typical engineering graduate carries debt closer to 30-40% of first-year earnings.

The practical calculus: Your child will likely earn less here than at Minnesota's top programs, but they'll also borrow less and face minimal admission barriers (95% acceptance rate). If keeping debt low is the priority and competitive admissions are a concern, Saint Cloud delivers solid computer engineering training without financial strain. However, if your child can gain admission to UMN-Twin Cities or other higher-ranked Minnesota programs, the earnings premium likely justifies any modest increase in borrowing.