Computer and Information Sciences at University of South Alabama

The University of South Alabama's computer science program starts graduates at just $47,253—roughly $20,000 below the Alabama median and $14,000 less than the national average. That's a significant earnings gap in a field where entry-level compensation typically reflects strong demand. Within Alabama alone, this program trails not just flagship schools like Alabama and Auburn, but also smaller institutions like Athens State. The 25th percentile state ranking tells the story: three-quarters of Alabama's computer science programs produce better-earning graduates.

The 52% earnings jump by year four suggests graduates eventually find their footing in the tech job market, reaching nearly $72,000. But that recovery trajectory means spending crucial early career years earning substantially less than peers from competing programs. With $27,000 in debt (matching the state median), the debt burden itself isn't exceptional, though the 0.57 debt-to-earnings ratio reveals how the weak starting salary makes even moderate debt more burdensome than it should be.

For Alabama families considering computer science programs, South Alabama's outcomes lag behind most in-state alternatives. Unless location in Mobile specifically matters for your student's situation, programs at UA-Huntsville, Auburn, or even the flagship in Tuscaloosa deliver meaningfully stronger earning potential from day one—a gap that compounds over time in this high-growth field.