Computer Science at University of Colorado Colorado Springs

UCCS computer science graduates earn $77,761 in their first year—about $10,000 more than the national median for CS programs and roughly $2,000 above Colorado's state median. While it doesn't quite match the earnings at Colorado School of Mines or CU Boulder, it outperforms several higher-profile private options in the state, including University of Denver. The program ranks in the 60th percentile among Colorado's nine CS programs, putting it solidly in the upper half despite UCCS's near-universal admission rate.

The financial picture is straightforward: graduates leave with $26,863 in debt (slightly above state and national medians but still manageable), which represents just 35% of first-year earnings. By year four, salaries climb to $93,266—a healthy 20% increase that suggests graduates are advancing well in their careers. This trajectory makes the debt load easy to handle, with most graduates likely able to aggressively pay down loans if they choose.

For Colorado families, this represents practical value. Your child gets competitive Colorado tech market outcomes at a school that admits nearly everyone who applies, likely with lower tuition pressure than private alternatives. The earnings growth after graduation matters more here than the starting salary differential with Boulder or Mines, and UCCS delivers on that metric.