Computer and Information Sciences at University of Hartford

The University of Hartford's computer science program produces concerning outcomes that lag far behind both state and national standards. First-year graduates earn just $34,812—less than half Connecticut's median of $75,649 for the same degree and barely a third of what Yale grads make. Even Western Connecticut State, a public regional university, delivers graduates earning more than twice as much. This ranks Hartford's program in the bottom 10th percentile statewide.

The $27,000 debt load isn't dramatically high by national standards, but paired with earnings this low, it creates a problematic ratio. Graduates are leaving with debt equal to 78% of their first-year salary, making repayment considerably harder than it should be for a technology degree. For context, the typical computer science graduate in Connecticut earns enough to make this same debt load feel much lighter.

One important caveat: these figures come from fewer than 30 graduates, so individual circumstances may vary more than usual. However, the gap between Hartford and other Connecticut options is too wide to ignore. If your child is serious about computer science, Connecticut public universities offer dramatically better returns—often at lower tuition—or you might consider whether Hartford's other programs align better with their interests. This particular pathway doesn't justify the investment when stronger alternatives exist in-state.