Computer and Information Sciences at Villanova University

Villanova's computer science graduates start strong at $83,455—beating the national median by 36% and landing in the 95th percentile nationally. That puts them just below Penn's elite tier but essentially tied with Lehigh for the second-highest starting salary among Pennsylvania programs. The debt load of $26,225 is manageable, translating to a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.31 that most families would find comfortable.

The program excels at placement into good first jobs, likely benefiting from Villanova's Philadelphia-area network and strong recruiting relationships with regional tech employers and consulting firms. Where it differs from Penn or top tech-focused schools is in the four-year earnings trajectory: growth of 7% to $89,645 is solid but not spectacular. This suggests graduates are landing in stable corporate roles rather than the highest-velocity tech careers, though that stability has real value for many families.

For a private university charging premium tuition, this represents genuine value: graduates earn significantly more than they would at most Pennsylvania state schools while carrying similar debt levels. If your child is admitted to this selective program (25% acceptance rate), the combination of strong starting earnings, reasonable debt, and Villanova's broader reputation makes this a straightforward yes for families who can manage the upfront cost.