Computer Engineering at Shepherd University

Computer engineering graduates from similar bachelor's programs nationally earn around $79,000 in their first year—a figure that aligns closely with what Shepherd students in this major might expect. The estimated $23,125 in debt sits slightly below the national median for computer engineering programs, producing a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.29. This suggests graduates could theoretically pay off their loans in under four months of gross earnings, a strong starting position for a technical field.

West Virginia's other computer engineering programs—at WVU and WVU Tech—report first-year earnings of $76,314, slightly below the national figure but still solid for the state's cost of living. If Shepherd's program produces outcomes similar to these peer institutions, graduates would be entering a field with strong immediate earning potential. The modest debt load becomes even more manageable when you consider that computer engineering salaries typically grow substantially beyond year one.

The caveat here is that we're working entirely with estimates since Shepherd's cohort is too small for the DOE to publish actual outcomes. That small program size could mean more personalized attention or limited course offerings and industry connections—factors worth investigating directly. If Shepherd delivers outcomes anywhere near the state average, the financial picture looks favorable. Visit campus, talk to current students, and confirm the program has the resources to compete with larger engineering schools.