Analysis
California's computer science landscape is a tale of extremes—with Berkeley grads earning $150,000 and some programs producing first-year earners below $50,000. For Master's University, we're working with estimates based on comparable CS bachelor's programs in the state, which suggest starting earnings around $68,000 and debt near $23,000. That's right at California's median for the field and only slightly below the national benchmark of $71,000, yielding a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.34.
The caveat here is significant: we don't have actual outcome data for Master's University's CS graduates specifically. What we do know is that the school serves a less economically advantaged population than many California tech feeders (just 19% receive Pell grants, but that's still meaningful), and peer programs at similar institutions in the state produce these moderate outcomes. Computer science credentials generally offer strong returns, but the gap between mid-tier and elite programs in California is enormous—often $80,000+ in first-year earnings.
If your child is drawn to Master's University for its faith-based mission or community fit, these estimated numbers suggest the CS program shouldn't torpedo their financial future. But if the decision is purely about maximizing tech career outcomes, California's public universities and top-tier privates deliver demonstrably better results. The estimated debt load is reasonable enough that this becomes more about earnings potential than crushing loans.
Where The Master's University and Seminary Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all computer science bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in California
Computer Science bachelors's programs at peer institutions in California (54 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $36,930 | $68,398* | — | $22,949* | — | |
| $63,255 | $173,344* | — | —* | — | |
| $14,850 | $149,866* | $178,867 | $13,900* | 0.09 | |
| $62,326 | $143,084* | — | —* | — | |
| $62,484 | $138,613* | $200,950 | $10,399* | 0.08 | |
| $68,237 | $137,284* | $143,152 | $20,178* | 0.15 | |
| National Median | — | $70,950* | — | $23,374* | 0.33 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with computer science graduates
Computer and Information Systems Managers
Computer and Information Research Scientists
Software Developers
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers
Information Security Analysts
Database Architects
Data Warehousing Specialists
Data Scientists
Business Intelligence Analysts
Clinical Data Managers
Computer Programmers
Web Developers
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 The Master's University and Seminary, approximately 19% 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 median of 39 similar programs in CA. Actual outcomes may vary.