Computer Science at University of Minnesota-Duluth

University of Minnesota-Duluth's computer science graduates earn more than both national and state medians right out of the gate, reaching $73,224 in their first year—impressive for a school with an 82% acceptance rate. More importantly, they're managing it with typical debt loads ($23,375), creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.32. That means graduates are paying back about four months' salary, which is manageable territory for a tech degree.

The earnings trajectory looks healthy, climbing 14% to reach $83,553 by year four. While UMD-Duluth can't match the Twin Cities campus or elite liberal arts colleges like Carleton, ranking 60th percentile among Minnesota computer science programs, it's competing respectably against schools with far more selective admissions. The gap between UMD-Duluth and the state's top programs narrows as graduates gain experience, suggesting the program provides solid technical foundations that translate to career growth.

For families seeking an affordable path into tech, this represents a straightforward value proposition: above-average earnings with average debt at a university that admits most applicants. Your child won't graduate with the same starting salary as a Twin Cities grad, but they'll enter the workforce with strong earning potential and without being weighed down by excessive loans. The robust sample size here (100+ graduates tracked) means these numbers aren't flukes—they reflect consistent outcomes.