Analysis
This Bachelor's in Computer Systems Analysis comes with an estimated debt load of $46,000—nearly equal to what similar programs produce in first-year earnings nationally. That 0.88 debt-to-earnings ratio sits right at the threshold where tech credentials typically shift from compelling to questionable, especially when you're working with estimates rather than Sullivan's actual graduate outcomes.
The challenge here is that we're relying entirely on national medians because Sullivan's cohort is too small to report. Nationally, computer systems analysis programs show first-year earnings around $52,500, which is respectable for a tech role but not the salary acceleration you'd see in software development or data science. The field tends to reward experience heavily, so that initial number matters—it determines how quickly your child can chip away at nearly $46K in loans while covering living expenses in Louisville.
Given the estimation uncertainty and the fact that Sullivan is the only school in Kentucky offering this specific credential, comparison shopping becomes difficult. If your child is committed to this field, explore whether nearby programs in computer science or information systems might offer similar career paths with actual outcome data you can evaluate. The debt load here isn't catastrophic for a tech degree, but when both earnings and debt figures are educated guesses, you're making a significant financial commitment with limited visibility into what Sullivan's graduates actually achieve.
Where Sullivan University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all computer systems analysis bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs Nationally
Computer Systems Analysis bachelors's programs at top institutions nationally
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $14,220 | $52,507* | — | $46,000* | — | |
| $33,344 | $92,324* | $86,521 | —* | — | |
| $57,220 | $73,740* | — | $20,750* | 0.28 | |
| $16,488 | $73,013* | $95,664 | $20,041* | 0.27 | |
| $8,675 | $65,084* | — | $24,279* | 0.37 | |
| $7,739 | $61,054* | — | —* | — | |
| National Median | — | $52,507* | — | $46,000* | 0.88 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with computer systems analysis graduates
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers
Computer Network Architects
Telecommunications Engineering Specialists
Database Architects
Data Warehousing Specialists
Computer Systems Analysts
Health Informatics Specialists
Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary
Computer Network Support Specialists
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Sullivan University, approximately 11% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the national median of 23 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.