Computer and Information Sciences at Virginia State University

Virginia State's computer science graduates start at $35,746—roughly half the typical Virginia tech graduate's salary and barely a third of what peers earn at UVA or Virginia Tech. Among the 26 Virginia schools offering this degree, this program sits near the bottom (10th percentile), and nationally it ranks in just the 5th percentile. While the debt load itself isn't unusual at $26,500, borrowing any amount for earnings this low creates real financial pressure.

The small sample size here (under 30 graduates) means these numbers could swing significantly year to year, but even accounting for statistical noise, the gap is too wide to ignore. This isn't about whether Virginia State serves an important mission—it clearly does, with 71% of students receiving Pell grants. The question is whether computer science specifically delivers adequate return on investment. At $35,746, graduates would struggle to comfortably manage even modest student loans while building careers in one of the economy's strongest sectors.

For a family specifically seeking a computer science degree, the state offers substantially stronger options at similar price points for in-state students. Programs at VCU, JMU, or George Mason more than double these starting salaries, which translates to dramatically different financial trajectories over a career. If Virginia State is the right fit for other reasons, consider whether a different major might leverage the school's strengths more effectively.