Computer Science at Saint Martin's University

Saint Martin's University computer science certificate graduates earn $91,138 in their first year—well above the $77,156 national median and placing them in the 95th percentile nationwide. That's impressive for a certificate program at a regional university with a 76% admission rate. The debt burden of $14,667 is notably lower than the national median of $17,916, creating an unusually favorable 0.16 debt-to-earnings ratio. Graduates could theoretically pay off their loans in under two months of earnings.

The 60th percentile ranking within Washington is somewhat misleading given that only three schools in the state offer this certificate, and all appear to cluster at similar salary levels—this isn't underperformance so much as limited competition. The real story is how Saint Martin's stacks up nationally, where it outperforms three-quarters of similar programs while keeping costs manageable. For a university serving a significant population of Pell Grant recipients (40%), these outcomes suggest solid industry connections in the Seattle-Tacey tech corridor.

For parents weighing this option, the math is straightforward: your child would graduate with manageable debt and earn more than most computer science certificate holders nationally. The moderate sample size means outcomes are reasonably consistent across cohorts. This represents a clear path to tech employment without the time and expense of a four-year degree.