Computer and Information Sciences at University of La Verne

At $52,160 in first-year earnings, La Verne's computer science graduates earn about $10,000 less than the national median for the degree, placing them in just the 26th percentile nationwide. Within California—where the program lands at the 40th percentile—this means graduates are earning slightly below the state median of $53,880. The debt load of $25,000 is manageable on its own, but the combination yields a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.48, meaning students carry roughly half their first-year salary in loans. For context, top-tier UC programs produce graduates earning $84,000 to $136,000, more than doubling La Verne's outcomes.

The concerning element here isn't catastrophic debt—it's that computer science is typically one of the most reliable pathways to strong post-graduation earnings, and this program underdelivers on that promise. Nearly half of La Verne students receive Pell grants, suggesting many families are counting on the degree premium that computer science usually offers. While the debt is technically serviceable, graduates are starting their tech careers at a significant disadvantage compared to peers from other California programs.

For families paying out-of-state tuition or taking on additional parent loans, this probably doesn't make financial sense. In-state students from modest backgrounds might find value if La Verne offers specific networking or location advantages, but they should understand they're entering the job market well below typical computer science salary levels.