Computer and Information Sciences at Suffolk University

Suffolk's computer science program sits right at the median for Massachusetts tech programs, with comparable programs typically producing first-year earnings around $72,000—comfortably above the $61,000 national benchmark. The estimated $23,000 in debt is actually lower than what most Bay State peers report, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.32 that should be manageable for most graduates entering a strong job market.

The challenge here isn't the fundamentals—tech jobs in Boston pay well and the debt load appears reasonable. It's the gap between Suffolk and the elite programs in the same city. Northeastern's graduates earn $115,000 right out of the gate, nearly 60% more than what peer programs suggest Suffolk graduates might make. Whether that premium matters depends on your child's career path: if they're targeting startups or mid-sized companies rather than competing for positions at Google or Meta, Suffolk's lower debt and solid baseline earnings could be the smarter play.

The real question is whether Suffolk specifically can match what these state estimates suggest. With an 85% admission rate and test scores below 1200, the program attracts a different student body than Northeastern or MIT. If your child can thrive in Suffolk's environment and take advantage of Boston's tech ecosystem through internships, the numbers work. But recognize you're betting on estimates, not this program's proven track record.