Computer Science at SUNY College at Potsdam

Four years out, Potsdam's computer science graduates earn $96,379—a solid figure that puts them ahead of the typical New York CS program and well above the national median. While first-year earnings are estimated from peer programs in the state, that trajectory to nearly six figures suggests the program prepares students effectively for competitive tech roles. The estimated $13,500 debt load represents roughly one-sixth of that first-year salary, well below both state and national benchmarks for CS programs.

The real story here is accessibility meeting outcomes. With an 85% admission rate and 43% of students on Pell grants, Potsdam serves a different population than Cornell or Columbia—yet their graduates still land in legitimate tech careers with manageable debt. You're not getting elite-level starting salaries, but you're also not carrying the debt burden typical of many CS programs (the national median is $23,374). That combination matters when your child is launching a career.

The limited data means we're working with estimates for the critical first year, but the actual four-year figure we do have suggests this program delivers. For families seeking an affordable path into computer science without gatekeeping admissions requirements, Potsdam offers a genuinely low-risk proposition—strong earnings growth with debt that won't constrain early-career choices.