Computer Programming at Tulane University of Louisiana

A $46,719 starting salary from Tulane's computer programming degree lands below both the national median ($50,242) and the Louisiana state median ($48,480)—though admittedly there are only two schools in Louisiana offering this bachelor's, making state comparisons less meaningful. More concerning is the national context: this program ranks in just the 18th percentile for earnings among computer programming degrees nationwide, despite coming from a highly selective institution (15% admission rate, 1443 average SAT). Students are graduating with $38,293 in debt, creating a 0.82 debt-to-earnings ratio that's manageable but not particularly advantageous given Tulane's premium price tag.

The small sample size here is critical—fewer than 30 graduates means these numbers could shift dramatically year to year. That volatility matters when you're comparing this to established tech pathways at larger universities where computer science graduates consistently command $70,000+ starting salaries. For parents paying private university tuition, the question becomes whether Tulane's prestige and network justify below-median outcomes in a field where technical skills typically matter more than institutional pedigree. If your child is set on computer programming specifically, larger public universities or tech-focused private schools show stronger track records in this discipline.