Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services at Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology

Thaddeus Stevens manages something unusual: graduates carry just $9,045 in debt—barely one-fifth of their first-year earnings—while earning above the state median for PA computer science associate programs. That 60th percentile state ranking matters because Pennsylvania typically sees lower starting salaries in this field than the national average, yet Stevens graduates still secure solid outcomes. The debt-to-earnings ratio ranks in the 95th percentile nationally, meaning this program loads students with less debt than virtually any comparable program in the country.

The trajectory looks promising too. Earnings climb 21% from year one to year four, reaching nearly $50,000—a meaningful jump that suggests graduates are gaining skills and advancing rather than stagnating in entry-level roles. While the starting salary sits at the 25th percentile nationally, that comparison feels misleading given regional market differences. Among Pennsylvania peers, Stevens holds its own.

For parents worried about tech education costs spiraling out of control, this represents a pragmatic entry point. Your child graduates with manageable debt, immediately employable skills, and room to grow their earnings. The moderate sample size warrants acknowledging this pattern could shift, but the fundamental math—low debt meeting steady earnings—makes this a defensible choice for students pursuing technical careers without betting the family finances.