Computer and Information Sciences at Strayer University-West Virginia

Strayer University-West Virginia's computer science program produces graduates who earn significantly more than the national average, but this comes with a major debt burden that sets it apart from most alternatives. While first-year earnings of $67,315 exceed the national median by nearly $6,000 and rank in the 65th percentile nationally, graduates carry $50,737 in debt—more than double both the national and West Virginia medians for this field.

The debt picture is particularly stark when compared to other West Virginia options. While Strayer graduates earn competitively within the state (60th percentile), they're taking on debt loads that rank in just the 5th percentile nationally—meaning 95% of computer science programs nationwide saddle students with less debt. West Virginia University and other state schools produce similar earning outcomes with roughly half the debt burden.

The 15% earnings growth over four years and strong initial salaries demonstrate the program's employment value, especially for the 85% of students receiving Pell grants who may have limited alternatives. However, the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.75 means graduates start their careers with debt equivalent to three-quarters of their first year's salary. For families prioritizing debt minimization, exploring West Virginia's public universities would deliver comparable earnings with significantly less financial risk.