Computer Science at University of Colorado Boulder

CU Boulder's computer science program positions graduates for strong six-figure earnings within four years, with median pay jumping from $77,385 to $104,284—a 35% increase that reflects the program's ability to launch students into tech careers with real growth potential. At $19,974 in median debt, graduates face one of the lighter debt loads in computer science nationally, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.26 that means most students could clear their loans within a few months of their first year's salary.

Within Colorado, this program ranks solidly—landing at the 60th percentile among the state's nine CS programs. Colorado School of Mines leads at $86,268, but Boulder holds its own against UC Colorado Springs ($77,761) and beats University of Denver despite comparable selectivity. The program performs even better nationally, hitting the 66th percentile among 739 programs. That combination matters for families considering in-state tuition: you're getting above-average outcomes both statewide and nationally.

The 83% admission rate makes this accessible for strong students who might not crack the most selective tech programs, while the robust sample size confirms these earnings aren't flukes. For a family evaluating Colorado options, Boulder delivers competitive outcomes with manageable debt—a straightforward path into well-paying tech roles without the financial stress that burdens many CS graduates.