Computer and Information Sciences at St. John Fisher University

A debt load around $27,000 for a computer science degree hits the practical sweet spot—based on comparable programs in New York, graduates typically earn enough ($62,592) to manage this burden without strain. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.43 means monthly payments should consume less than 5% of gross income, leaving room for other financial priorities. While elite institutions like Cornell and RPI produce graduates earning $85,000-plus in their first year, those schools also tend to come with significantly higher price tags and more competitive admissions. St. John Fisher's estimated outcomes align closely with both state and national medians for this degree.

The Rochester location matters here. The city hosts major tech employers like Xerox and Paychex, plus a growing startup scene, but it's not a tier-one tech hub like New York City or Boston. Similar programs across New York suggest first-year earnings in the low-to-mid $60,000s are realistic for this market, and computer science skills remain portable if your child wants to relocate after graduation. The 68% admission rate suggests this is an accessible option for solid students who want to enter tech without the pressure cooker of elite institutions.

For families concerned about return on investment, this profile looks reasonable: manageable debt, earnings that should support loan repayment, and a field with demonstrated demand. The uncertainty around the exact figures for St. John Fisher specifically is worth noting, but the convergence between state, national, and peer program data gives these estimates credibility.