Computer Science at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota

Saint Mary's computer science program aligns closely with what similar Minnesota programs deliver, with estimated first-year earnings around $72,865 and debt near $24,130. This puts it squarely in the middle of the state's computer science landscape—not at the premium level of Carleton or the U of M flagship, but matching national benchmarks and producing a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.33.

The debt load here is notably reasonable for a private institution. At roughly a third of first-year earnings, graduates from comparable programs typically have breathing room to handle their monthly payments while building savings. Computer science credentials tend to offer strong financial returns regardless of where they're earned, and these estimates suggest Saint Mary's follows that pattern without the debt burden that sometimes accompanies smaller private schools.

The tradeoff worth considering: you're paying private tuition for outcomes that comparable Minnesota programs achieve at potentially lower cost. With an 89% admission rate, Saint Mary's offers accessibility that top state programs don't, which matters if your student needs that path. But if they can access University of Minnesota-Duluth or similar public options, they'd likely see similar career outcomes with less financial pressure. The program appears solid—just make sure the total cost of attendance doesn't significantly exceed what these estimates assume.