Computer and Information Sciences at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

SIUE's computer science program starts graduates below both national and state medians, landing in the 40th percentile among Illinois tech programs. That first-year salary of $55,844 trails the Illinois median by about $1,200 and falls significantly behind top state programs like U of I Urbana-Champaign ($113,503) or even Illinois State ($65,127). However, the real story here is momentum: earnings jump 36% to $76,157 by year four, eventually pushing graduates well above both state and national medians.

The debt picture strengthens the case considerably. At $23,966, graduates borrow less than peers at other Illinois schools (median: $24,321) and nationally ($25,000), resulting in a manageable 0.43 debt-to-earnings ratio. That means typical grads could pay off their loans with less than half of their first year's salary—a comfortable position even with the modest starting figures. The open-access admission policy (97% acceptance rate) suggests this program successfully develops talent regardless of incoming credentials, which matters for students who might not gain admission to more selective alternatives.

For families weighing in-state options, SIUE offers a sensible path into tech careers without the debt burden of private schools or the competitive admission hurdles of flagship programs. The trajectory matters more than the starting point here, and the four-year data shows graduates establish solid earning power as they gain experience.