Computer Science at San Diego State University

San Diego State's Computer Science program offers solid earnings outcomes with notably low debt—a combination that makes it one of California's better values in tech education. Graduates start at $75K and climb to $92K within four years, placing the program in the 60th percentile among California's 54 computer science programs. While that doesn't compete with the six-figure salaries from Stanford or Berkeley, the context changes dramatically when you factor in the $16,500 median debt—roughly $7,000 less than the state median and nearly $7,000 below the national average.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.22 means graduates owe less than three months of their first-year salary, making loan repayment manageable even in expensive San Diego. The 23% earnings growth over four years suggests steady career progression, and with a robust sample size, these numbers reliably reflect what typical graduates achieve. At 34% admission, SDSU is selective enough to maintain standards while remaining accessible to strong students, including a substantial population of Pell grant recipients.

For families seeking return on investment without the lottery-ticket admissions process of elite tech schools, this program delivers career-ready outcomes at a fraction of the financial risk. The tradeoff is straightforward: you'll earn less than UC Berkeley grads initially, but you'll also start your career with minimal debt weighing you down.