Computer and Information Sciences at The University of Texas at El Paso

UTEP's computer science program punches well above its weight class. With first-year earnings of $73,311—beating the national median by nearly $12,000 and the Texas median by $18,000—this open-enrollment institution ranks in the 80th percentile among Texas CS programs. At $23,250 in median debt, graduates finish with a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.32, meaning they owe less than four months of their first-year salary. That's a strong foundation for financial stability.

The context matters here: UTEP serves a predominantly working-class student body (61% receive Pell grants) and admits everyone who applies, yet its CS graduates out-earn those from programs at more selective Texas schools. While Rice and UT-Austin lead the state, UTEP's graduates earn nearly as much as those from Texas Tech and Texas A&M—institutions with far more selective admissions. Earnings growth to $78,299 by year four suggests these graduates aren't just landing entry-level jobs but building genuine careers.

For families worried about college ROI, particularly those without significant resources, this program delivers exceptional value. Your child gets access to a thriving tech job market—likely in El Paso's growing border tech sector or Texas's major metro areas—without the crushing debt or admission barriers that gate-keep other programs. The numbers suggest UTEP is doing something right in preparing students for the workplace.