Computer Science at Tiffin University

Computer science programs across Ohio produce remarkably consistent outcomes, with similar programs typically yielding first-year earnings around $74,000—and that's exactly where Tiffin sits. The estimated $27,000 in debt falls slightly above the state median of $23,300, but the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.37 remains manageable, suggesting graduates could reasonably pay off loans within a few years if they prioritize it.

What's encouraging here is that peer programs in Ohio show little earnings variation between selective universities like Case Western (averaging $95,700) and more accessible institutions. Franklin University and University of Dayton graduates cluster in the same $74,000-$76,000 range that Tiffin's comparable programs suggest. The tech skills employers need transcend institutional prestige in ways that liberal arts degrees often don't.

The bigger question is execution risk at a school with an 80% admission rate and sub-1000 average SAT scores. Computer science requires substantial mathematical aptitude and problem-solving persistence, and completion rates matter enormously—a half-finished CS degree has minimal labor market value. If your child has demonstrated strong quantitative skills and genuine interest in programming, the estimated outcomes suggest reasonable value. But if they're choosing CS primarily for the salary prospects without the underlying aptitude, a school with more academic support infrastructure might justify higher costs.