Computer Software and Media Applications at University of St Thomas

The $38,234 first-year salary suggested by comparable software programs nationally seems surprisingly low for a computing degree—even in Minnesota's tech market, entry-level developers typically start well above this threshold. This estimate draws from a national pool of similar programs, and the wide range of outcomes (some programs place graduates at $52,000+) suggests software education quality varies dramatically. With an estimated $25,600 in debt, the 0.67 debt-to-earnings ratio looks manageable on paper, but only if actual outcomes align with this conservative baseline.

The real concern is what this middling estimate means for University of St Thomas specifically. The school's selective profile (SAT average of 1296, low Pell representation) typically correlates with stronger professional networks and placement outcomes in computing fields. Yet without actual graduate data, you're betting that St Thomas's version of this program performs at least at the national median—and ideally well above it, given the school's positioning. In a field where curriculum quality, internship connections, and technical depth make massive salary differences, estimates from peer programs offer limited confidence.

For a computing degree, you need more concrete evidence. Before committing, demand specifics: where do recent grads actually work, what roles do they land, and what programming stacks does the curriculum emphasize? The estimated numbers suggest a tolerable investment, but computing is one field where picking the wrong program—or one that doesn't match regional employer needs—can mean dramatically underperforming your earning potential.