Computer Programming at Southwestern College

At just $6,500 in median debt, Southwestern College's computer programming degree costs roughly one-fifth of what graduates typically borrow nationally for this major. That's an exceptional outcome, though these numbers come from a small cohort that makes firm conclusions difficult. First-year earnings of $56,305 land above the national median but trail the state median by about $400—not surprising given that only two Kansas schools report data for this program, and Fort Hays State's graduates edge ahead by roughly $850.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.12 means graduates could theoretically pay off their loans in six weeks of gross income, a remarkably favorable starting point compared to the national median where debt equals more than half a year's salary. With 39% of students receiving Pell grants, the college appears to serve many lower-income students while keeping borrowing contained.

The catch is scale: we're looking at outcomes for fewer than 30 graduates, which means a single outlier could skew these figures meaningfully. If your child thrives in smaller program environments and the low debt figure holds across future cohorts, this could work well. But given the tiny sample and slightly softer earnings versus other Kansas options, make sure to ask the department about typical class sizes, placement rates, and whether these debt levels reflect institutional aid that your family would qualify for.