Computer and Information Sciences at University of the Incarnate Word

Incarnate Word's computer science program produces graduates earning roughly $20,000 less than the Texas median for this major—a significant gap in a field known for strong salaries. While first-year earnings of $44,173 rank in just the 25th percentile statewide, they do climb to $51,288 by year four, showing 16% growth. For context, Texas A&M graduates in this field start near $81,000, and even Texas Tech's program delivers $83,000.

The debt picture offers some relief: at $28,986, it's manageable relative to those modest earnings (a 0.66 ratio), and graduates should be able to pay it down steadily. The broader challenge is opportunity cost. Computer science typically offers premium salaries precisely because of the technical skills involved, but this program's outcomes don't reflect that premium. Whether that's due to the types of employers recruiting here, the program's curriculum focus, or other factors isn't clear from the data.

One important caveat: this analysis is based on fewer than 30 graduates, so individual outcomes could vary considerably. If your child is considering this program, the financial trade-off is straightforward—lower debt than many peers, but also substantially lower earning potential than what computer science degrees typically command in Texas. That may be acceptable if they're committed to staying in San Antonio or have other reasons to attend, but purely as an investment in tech career earnings, stronger options exist across the state.