Computer and Information Sciences at Utah Tech University

Utah Tech's computer science graduates start at $46,382—well below both the national median ($61,322) and Utah's median ($74,865)—but then see remarkable 75% earnings growth, jumping to $81,192 by year four. This puts them above the national average and competitive with Weber State and Utah State graduates. Among Utah's eight programs, this initially ranks dead last (10th percentile), but the strong mid-career trajectory suggests the program may serve a different segment of the tech market initially or have graduates who take longer to reach their earning potential.

The $20,944 debt load is reasonable, especially compared to the national median of $25,000, making the delayed earnings curve more manageable. The debt-to-first-year-earnings ratio of 0.45 is solid—you can pay this off relatively quickly once earnings accelerate. However, that first year or two will require careful financial planning, particularly if your child needs to cover living expenses in addition to loan payments.

The bottom line: This is a patience game. If your child can weather lower initial earnings—perhaps by living at home or working a second job briefly—the four-year payoff is strong. But if they need competitive starting salaries immediately out of college, Western Governors or BYU deliver higher initial earnings. The value here depends entirely on whether you can afford that slow start for a solid mid-term outcome.