Computer and Information Sciences at University of Florida

This is one of the strongest computer science programs in the country, and it's not particularly close. University of Florida CS graduates earn $90,651 in their first year—nearly 50% more than the national median for this degree and 60% more than Florida's median. That's 95th percentile performance both nationally and within Florida, meaning this program outperforms 95% of comparable programs on earnings while delivering graduates with just $16,000 in debt (far below the national median of $25,000).

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.18 means graduates owe less than two months of their first-year salary—exceptional by any standard. Earnings continue climbing to $108,528 by year four, representing healthy 20% growth. The combination of selective admissions (24% acceptance rate) and strong industry connections in Florida's growing tech sector appears to translate directly into job placement at competitive salaries. The robust sample size confirms these aren't statistical flukes.

For parents weighing in-state options, this is the clear choice in Florida. Your child would be paying significantly less in tuition as a Florida resident while accessing outcomes that rival elite private programs elsewhere. Unless they have compelling offers from top-tier CS programs like MIT or Stanford, staying in-state here is likely the smarter financial decision.