Computer and Information Sciences at Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania

Slippery Rock's computer science program outperforms most Pennsylvania competitors while charging less. First-year graduates earn $59,430—just below the national median but notably ahead of Pennsylvania's $57,260 median, placing the program in the 60th percentile statewide. With $25,000 in typical debt, students graduate owing roughly five months of salary, a manageable burden that's actually $2,000 less than the Pennsylvania average.

The earnings trajectory here is solid. By year four, graduates see salaries climb 25% to $74,219, well above what most PA programs deliver at that stage. While this doesn't approach the elite numbers from Penn or Lehigh, those schools serve different markets. For a regional university with a 75% admission rate, these outcomes represent genuine career acceleration—graduates are landing jobs that pay meaningfully more than Pennsylvania's typical tech sector entry points.

The value calculation is straightforward: reasonable debt, above-average Pennsylvania earnings, and consistent salary growth. Parents should recognize this won't produce the six-figure starting salaries that Pennsylvania's top-tier programs deliver, but it provides a clear path into tech careers without the financial strain. For students who fit Slippery Rock's admission profile, this program delivers better returns than most accessible alternatives in the state.