Computer Science at Texas State University

Texas State's computer science program offers an important lesson about looking beyond first impressions. Yes, new graduates earn $70,906—landing exactly at the national median but trailing the Texas median by about $12,000. Among Texas's 31 CS programs, this ranks in just the 40th percentile. However, graduates see strong 30% earnings growth by year four, reaching $92,305, which exceeds every program on the state's top-five list except SMU. The manageable $24,445 debt load (0.34 debt-to-earnings ratio) means graduates can actually benefit from that income growth rather than watching it disappear into loan payments.

The tradeoff here is clear: your child will likely start behind peers from UT Arlington or Texas A&M, but the trajectory suggests they catch up and potentially pull ahead by mid-career. This pattern may reflect Texas State's accessible admissions (89% acceptance rate) attracting students who need time to hit their stride professionally, or perhaps industry connections that strengthen with experience. For families prioritizing affordability—particularly the 36% of students on Pell grants—this represents a solid entry point into tech careers.

If your child is self-motivated and can handle a slower initial launch, Texas State delivers strong long-term value for CS. If they need immediate earning power to manage debt or family obligations, the higher-starting programs might justify their premium.