Computer and Information Sciences at St. Mary's University

A $55,000 first-year salary—drawn from typical Computer Science bachelor's programs across Texas—puts St. Mary's University in the middle of the pack for the state, but notably below what graduates from UT Austin or Texas A&M typically earn. The estimated $24,000 in debt creates a manageable 0.44 ratio, meaning debt equals roughly five months of salary, which is reasonable by national standards where CS grads typically carry $25,000. However, context matters: San Antonio's tech market, while growing, doesn't command the same starting salaries as Austin, and St. Mary's serves a population where 42% receive Pell grants, often balancing financial constraints with academic preparation (the 989 average SAT suggests students may need more support to reach competitive positions).

The real question is opportunity cost. Similar CS programs in Texas span from Prairie View A&M's $77,000 to Rice's $131,000, suggesting that where you study and what connections you build significantly impact earnings in this field. At St. Mary's open admission rate and modest academic profile, students likely need to be proactive about internships, portfolio projects, and networking to compete for the higher-paying roles that pull CS graduates above the state median.

For families weighing this investment, the debt load is survivable, but the earnings estimate reflects average outcomes—not guaranteed ones. If your child thrives in smaller class settings and values St. Mary's community, this could work, but they'll need to hustle beyond coursework to reach the field's higher earning potential.