Computer Science at University of New Orleans

At $69,204 in starting salary and just $16,604 in median debt, UNO's computer science program punches above its weight in Louisiana. While earnings land near the national median, this program ranks in the 60th percentile among Louisiana CS programs—outperforming larger schools like UL Lafayette and UL Monroe despite UNO's open-access mission (67% admission rate, 40% Pell students). The debt load is particularly compelling: graduates carry roughly $7,200 less debt than the Louisiana median, resulting in a 0.24 debt-to-earnings ratio that should make loan payments manageable.

The earnings trajectory shows steady growth to nearly $78,000 by year four, which is respectable if unspectacular for tech. UNO graduates aren't competing with Tulane's $90,000+ starting salaries, but they're getting solid technical training without crushing debt. For Louisiana families, especially those seeking an affordable path into tech careers, this represents a practical choice. The modest sample size (30-100 graduates) suggests program size limitations, but the core economics work: you're looking at roughly three months of gross salary to cover total debt, leaving room to build wealth or pursue graduate education without financial strain from day one.