Computer Science at University of Southern Indiana

At $55,597 in starting salary, University of Southern Indiana's computer science program starts considerably behind the mark—about $15,000 below the state median and nearly $16,000 below the national benchmark. This puts it in the bottom quarter of Indiana CS programs, a state where Purdue and IU-Bloomington consistently produce graduates earning $80,000+. The debt load of $24,750 is reasonable and close to state norms, but when paired with below-average starting earnings, it creates a shakier financial foundation than parents might expect from a tech degree.

The bright spot? Strong earnings growth. Graduates see a 26% increase to $70,232 by year four, which closes much of the gap with state and national medians. This suggests the program produces competent developers who build momentum after graduation, though they're starting from a lower base. The 95% admission rate and modest SAT scores indicate USI serves a different student population than Indiana's elite engineering schools, and the earnings reflect that positioning.

For families prioritizing affordability with manageable debt, USI offers a pathway into tech careers. But if your child can gain admission to Purdue, IU-Bloomington, or even Indiana University-Southeast (which pays $17,000 more at the start), those programs deliver substantially better returns. The question is whether saving on tuition justifies entering the job market at a disadvantage that takes years to overcome.