Computer and Information Sciences at Strayer University-Mississippi

At first glance, Strayer University-Mississippi's Computer Science program delivers solid earnings that outperform both national and state medians, with graduates earning $67,315 in their first year compared to $61,322 nationally and $66,082 statewide. The 15% earnings growth to $77,481 by year four shows healthy career progression, and among Mississippi's eight computer science programs, this ranks in the 60th percentile—competitive with University of Mississippi's outcomes.

However, the debt picture requires serious consideration. At $50,737, student debt is more than double both the national median ($25,000) and Mississippi median ($24,896) for this field, placing it in the concerning 5th percentile nationally for debt levels. This creates a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.75, meaning graduates carry debt equal to about 9 months of their starting salary. Given that 83% of students receive Pell grants, this high debt burden particularly impacts students from lower-income families.

The strong earnings help offset the debt concern, but families should understand they're paying a premium for outcomes that, while good, aren't dramatically better than less expensive in-state options like Mississippi State. This program works if your child needs the flexibility of Strayer's format, but traditional public universities offer similar career outcomes with significantly less debt.