Computer Science at Southwest Baptist University

Computer science programs in Missouri show a wide earnings range, from around $69,000 at most schools to over $110,000 at Washington University. Based on peer programs across the state, Southwest Baptist graduates likely start near the $69,000 mark—right at Missouri's median and just shy of the national benchmark of $71,000. That's solid entry-level tech money, though it's worth noting this is an estimate drawn from similar programs statewide, not tracked outcomes from Southwest Baptist itself.

The estimated $25,000 in debt puts the debt-to-earnings ratio at 0.36, meaning graduates would owe about four months of their first-year salary. That's manageable compared to many bachelor's programs and aligns closely with what other Missouri computer science programs report. The open-admission policy and moderate SAT scores suggest Southwest Baptist serves a different student population than elite competitors like Washington University, but the salary estimates don't show a significant penalty—the gap between peer programs at this level and the state's top earners appears in the prestige of the institution, not necessarily in technical preparation for entry-level roles.

The core question is whether Southwest Baptist's specific program delivers outcomes in line with these statewide estimates. Without actual graduate data, you're betting on the program performing similarly to Missouri's median. If your child thrives in smaller, faith-based settings and the estimated debt holds true, the financial fundamentals look reasonable for a tech career.