Computer and Information Sciences at Towson University

Towson's Computer Science program starts graduates at $53,171—about $10,000 below Maryland's median for this degree and in the 25th percentile statewide. That's a meaningful gap in a state with strong tech markets, particularly when nearby University of Maryland Global Campus places graduates earning $75,619 and even Morgan State hits $66,950 right out of the gate.

The program's saving grace is momentum: earnings jump 40% by year four to $74,174, catching up to competitive levels. Combined with below-average debt of $20,562, the math eventually works—you're borrowing less than half a year's starting salary. But that first-year shortfall matters. In tech, your entry-level salary often sets your trajectory for raises and future job offers, and starting $8,000 behind the national median ($61,322) means potentially leaving significant money on the table long-term.

For Maryland families, this is a budget-friendly path to a CS degree, especially compared to Johns Hopkins or private alternatives. But if your child is competitive academically (Towson admits 83% of applicants), they might secure stronger initial earning power at Maryland's higher-ranked public programs without dramatically increasing debt. The degree works financially, but it's worth comparing offers carefully—that starting salary gap isn't trivial in this field.