Computer Engineering at University of Southern California

USC's Computer Engineering program graduates with remarkably low debt—just $9,500, far below the national median of $24,500 for this degree—but the earnings picture raises questions worth examining closely. While similar programs in California suggest first-year earnings around $76,000, USC's reported fourth-year figure of $115,102 shows strong mid-career trajectory. That puts graduates well ahead of the national median ($79,000) by year four, though notably behind several UC campuses and Cal Poly SLO, where grads typically earn $96,000-$112,000 even in their first year out.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.13 is excellent by any standard, meaning graduates could theoretically pay off their loans in under two months of gross income. This largely reflects USC's generous financial aid rather than low tuition—22% of students receive Pell grants, suggesting the university invests heavily in making attendance affordable. For families who qualify for significant aid, this is genuinely one of the best debt outcomes in the state.

The caveat: if your family doesn't qualify for substantial aid at a school where full-pay approaches $90,000 annually, out-of-pocket costs could dwarf that $9,500 median debt figure. Run USC's net price calculator before assuming you'll see similar costs. For students who can attend affordably, the combination of minimal debt and strong mid-career earnings makes this a solid investment, even if first-year outcomes appear to lag some public alternatives.