Analysis
Southwestern College's MIS program appears positioned right at the middle of what similar Kansas programs deliver—peer institutions in the state suggest first-year earnings around $60,000, virtually identical to the national median for this field. With estimated debt of $26,600, graduates would face payments taking less than half their first-year salary, a manageable ratio for a technical business degree.
The challenge here is uncertainty. Because this program's actual outcomes aren't reported due to small graduate cohorts, we're relying entirely on what comparable Kansas MIS programs produce. The good news: the three programs in Kansas with published data cluster tightly between $55,000 and $61,000, suggesting relative consistency across the state. The debt estimate comes from similar private colleges nationally and sits slightly above both state and national medians for MIS programs, though not dramatically so.
For parents weighing this investment, the fundamentals look reasonable if Southwestern's outcomes mirror its peers. MIS degrees typically lead to stable IT and business analyst roles with clear career progression. But without program-specific data, you're betting that a smaller program at a selective-admission private college will match what larger state universities deliver. If your student thrives in smaller environments and Southwestern offers something distinctive in curriculum or career support, that bet may pay off—just recognize you're making it without a full picture of this program's track record.
Where Southwestern College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all management information systems and services bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Kansas
Management Information Systems and Services bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Kansas (10 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $38,480 | $60,144* | — | $26,581* | — | |
| $11,700 | $60,931* | $71,526 | $22,200* | 0.36 | |
| $10,942 | $60,144* | — | $24,308* | 0.40 | |
| $5,633 | $55,111* | — | $24,119* | 0.44 | |
| National Median | — | $59,490* | — | $24,000* | 0.40 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with management information systems and services graduates
Computer and Information Systems Managers
Database Architects
Data Warehousing Specialists
Computer Programmers
Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Southwestern College, approximately 39% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 3 similar programs in KS. Actual outcomes may vary.