Computer and Information Sciences at Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania

Shippensburg's computer science program punches well above what you'd expect from a school with an 86% admission rate and average SAT of 1090. First-year earnings of $74,598 rank in the 80th percentile statewide and 82nd nationally—that's roughly $13,000 above the typical Pennsylvania CS grad and nearly $17,000 above the national median. While debt figures are estimated from similar Pennsylvania programs at $27,000, that would translate to a 0.36 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates could reasonably pay off loans in well under a year of gross salary.

The practical advantage here is clear: Shippensburg delivers outcomes comparable to far more selective institutions without the stratospheric debt. Yes, Penn and Swarthmore grads earn nearly double, but those programs typically come with corresponding price tags. For a family watching costs while aiming for a strong tech career, getting 80th-percentile outcomes with estimated middle-of-the-pack debt represents solid value in Pennsylvania's competitive landscape.

The caveat is that we're working with estimated debt based on peer institutions rather than Shippensburg's actual figures, so confirm financial aid packages directly. But the earnings data is real and verifiable—this program consistently places graduates into entry-level positions that pay substantially more than most CS programs manage. If your student is interested in tech and Shippensburg is academically appropriate, the outcomes suggest this investment should work out favorably.