Analysis
Computer science degrees in Indiana span a remarkable range, from Rose-Hulman's $100K+ first-year outcomes to more modest results at regional campuses. Trine's program, drawing from comparable Indiana programs, suggests first-year earnings around $68,500βroughly matching the state median but trailing the national benchmark by about $2,500. The estimated $26,500 debt load yields a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.39, meaning your child would owe about five months of their first year's salary. That's manageable by most standards and aligns closely with typical debt levels for computer science programs nationwide.
The challenge here is that these figures reflect what similar Indiana programs produce, not Trine's specific track record. The school's 85% admission rate and relatively low Pell enrollment (16%) suggest a different student profile than Indiana's flagship programs, which might translate to different career outcomes. Computer science remains one of the more reliable technical degrees for employment, but Trine's position among Indiana programs appears middling when schools like Purdue and IU-Bloomington are producing graduates who earn 25-40% more in their first year.
If your child has been admitted to multiple Indiana computer science programs, comparing actual placement data and tech company recruiting presence would be critical. This estimated profile suggests reasonable value, but without knowing Trine's specific graduate outcomes, you're making that investment decision somewhat blind.
Where Trine University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all computer science bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Indiana
Computer Science bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Indiana (26 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $35,600 | $68,485* | β | $26,500* | β | |
| $56,674 | $100,294* | $157,625 | $24,500* | 0.24 | |
| $9,992 | $94,786* | $116,601 | $19,375* | 0.20 | |
| $11,790 | $77,909* | $91,304 | $20,417* | 0.26 | |
| $39,104 | $77,081* | $86,504 | β* | β | |
| $8,179 | $72,634* | $97,561 | β* | β | |
| National Median | β | $70,950* | β | $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 Trine University, approximately 16% 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 13 similar programs in IN. Actual outcomes may vary.