Computer and Information Sciences at Siena College

Siena College's computer science program positions graduates in the middle of the pack among New York tech programs, but it does so without the debt burden or admission selectivity of its higher-earning competitors. At $64,677 in first-year earnings, graduates earn slightly above both the national median ($61,322) and New York state median ($62,592)—landing in the 60th percentile statewide. The $22,836 in typical debt is notably lower than state and national averages, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.35 that students can reasonably manage.

The gap to elite programs is real: Cornell and RPI graduates earn 30-60% more initially. But that comparison misses an important point—Siena admits 71% of applicants versus single-digit acceptance rates at those schools, making it accessible to students who wouldn't qualify for top-tier programs. The 19% earnings growth over four years suggests decent career progression, even if graduates aren't immediately landing at prestigious tech firms.

For families seeking a manageable path into tech careers, this represents a functional choice rather than an optimal one. The lower debt load means graduates won't spend years digging out from under payments, and the moderate earnings still place them well above national college graduate averages. It's a program that delivers steady outcomes without requiring perfect grades or creating financial strain—which for many families is exactly what they're looking for.