Computer and Information Sciences at Salem State University

Salem State's computer science program delivers something rare: strong earnings growth from a below-median starting point. Students begin at $57,706—about $15,000 below Massachusetts' median for CS programs—but jump to $88,627 by year four, a 54% increase that outpaces typical career trajectories. The debt picture helps offset the slower start: at $27,000, graduates carry manageable loans, translating to a 0.47 debt-to-earnings ratio that's well below concerning levels.

The challenge here is Massachusetts context. Ranking in just the 25th percentile statewide means three-quarters of Bay State CS programs deliver stronger early earnings. That gap matters when companies like Raytheon, Wayfair, and countless Boston-area tech firms recruit locally. For comparison, UMass Dartmouth graduates start at $78,000, while elite programs like Northeastern push past $115,000. The 96% admission rate suggests Salem State serves a different student population than these competitors, but parents should understand their graduate will likely need those four years to catch up to peers from other Massachusetts schools.

For families prioritizing affordability over immediate earnings—particularly the 35% receiving Pell grants—this works. The debt load is reasonable and the earnings trajectory points upward. But if your student can access UMass Dartmouth or similar programs, the $20,000 higher starting salary there may justify any modest cost difference.