Computer and Information Sciences at University of Mary Washington

University of Mary Washington's computer science program punches above its weight nationally but faces stiff in-state competition. With first-year earnings of $76,301, graduates earn $15,000 more than the national median for CS programs and outperform 86% of similar programs nationwide. The debt load of $22,142 is reasonable—lower than both state and national medians—translating to a 0.29 debt-to-earnings ratio that should be manageable for most graduates.

The complication is Virginia's competitive CS landscape. This program ranks at the 60th percentile within the state, trailing flagships like UVA and Virginia Tech by roughly $20,000 in starting salary. That gap matters if your child qualifies for those schools. However, UMW's 86% admission rate makes it accessible to a broader range of students, and the 21% earnings growth over four years shows graduates aren't hitting a ceiling early.

For families prioritizing manageable debt and solid outcomes over maximum prestige, this represents a practical choice. Your child walks away with half the debt of typical CS graduates while still landing well above national earnings benchmarks. Just understand they're not getting elite Virginia tech salaries—they're getting dependable middle-tier outcomes with minimal financial stress.