Computer and Information Sciences at South Texas College

South Texas College's computer science program delivers something rare: virtually no debt burden. At just under $7,000, graduates carry less debt than 95% of computer science programs nationwide—a fraction of the national median of $25,000. For families worried about student loan pressure, this is a genuine advantage.

The earnings picture requires more nuance. Starting salaries around $40,000 trail both the Texas median ($55,000) and national average ($61,000) significantly. However, this gap reflects McAllen's border location and lower regional cost of living—not necessarily program quality. Graduates see solid 22% earnings growth by year four, reaching nearly $50,000. While this still ranks in the bottom quarter of Texas computer science programs, it's competitive for the Rio Grande Valley region where living costs are substantially below state averages.

The key question is career trajectory. If your student plans to stay in the region, these earnings combined with minimal debt create a manageable financial picture. If they're targeting Austin's tech corridor or out-of-state opportunities, they'll face steeper competition from graduates of flagship programs. For students seeking an affordable entry point into tech—especially those from the 36% receiving Pell grants—the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.17 makes this a low-risk option, even with below-average starting pay.