Computer Engineering at Saint Francis University

Computer Engineering programs in Pennsylvania span a competitive range, with Saint Francis falling somewhere in the middle based on similar programs statewide. The estimated $82,209 first-year salary—derived from seven comparable PA programs—matches the state median and sits just above the national benchmark of $78,952. At $26,000 in estimated debt, this creates a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.32, meaning you'd owe roughly four months' gross salary. That's manageable territory for an engineering degree, though it's worth noting that top-tier programs in Pennsylvania like Villanova and Bucknell show graduates earning $10,000-$12,000 more annually.

The challenge here is uncertainty. With both earnings and debt figures estimated from peer institutions rather than Saint Francis's actual graduate outcomes, you're essentially betting on this program performing like a typical computer engineering degree in Pennsylvania. Given the school's 77% admission rate and lower average SAT scores compared to engineering powerhouses, there's reason to question whether outcomes will hit that median—or fall below it. The relatively low percentage of Pell recipients (18%) suggests less financial diversity, which sometimes correlates with stronger career networks but doesn't guarantee individual results.

If your student is drawn to Saint Francis for fit or location, understand you're making that choice with limited visibility into actual graduate outcomes. Request the school's own placement data and compare net costs carefully before committing.