Computer Science at University of Scranton

University of Scranton's computer science graduates earn $55,390 in their first year—about $12,000 below Pennsylvania's median for CS programs and nearly $16,000 under the national figure. While the $25,500 in typical debt is manageable at less than half of first-year earnings, the real concern is the earning power itself. At the 25th percentile among Pennsylvania programs, this means three-quarters of CS programs in the state produce higher-earning graduates, including far more affordable public options.

The small sample size here matters significantly. With fewer than 30 graduates tracked, a few outliers could skew these numbers in either direction. It's possible the program serves a specific niche—perhaps students staying in the Scranton area where tech salaries run lower than Philadelphia or Pittsburgh—but even accounting for regional differences, the earnings gap is substantial. Pennsylvania's CS landscape includes powerhouses like Carnegie Mellon, but even mid-tier programs like Pitt-Johnstown ($77,599) demonstrate significantly stronger outcomes.

For an anxious parent, the question is straightforward: if your child can handle CS coursework at Scranton (admission rate 84%, average SAT 1237), they likely have stronger earning options elsewhere in Pennsylvania. Unless Scranton offers unique personal fit factors—location, campus culture, scholarship aid that dramatically reduces that debt figure—the earnings data suggests looking at programs where CS graduates start closer to $70,000.