Computer and Information Sciences at The University of Texas at Tyler

UT Tyler's computer science program lands squarely in the middle tier of Texas tech education—not elite, but not a risky bet either. Graduates earn $52,418 in their first year and see steady growth to nearly $60,000 by year four. That's below the national CS median by about $9,000, but it's actually close to the Texas median of $55,172. With $21,500 in typical debt (lower than both state and national averages), students are walking out with a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.41—meaning they owe less than half their first year's salary.

The program's 40th percentile ranking within Texas tells the real story here. UT Tyler isn't competing with Austin or Rice, which produce graduates earning six figures. It's positioned as an accessible option for students who need a legitimate CS degree without the pressure of highly selective admissions. The 92% acceptance rate and moderate SAT scores suggest this school serves students who might not have gotten into flagship programs, giving them a viable path into tech careers. The 14% earnings growth trajectory is encouraging, showing graduates aren't plateauing early.

For families prioritizing affordability over prestige, this works. Your child graduates with less debt than most CS majors nationally and enters a field where even mid-tier salaries provide financial stability. Just understand they're not on the fast track to high-paying software engineering roles that UT Austin or Rice graduates typically land.