Location: St. Louis, MO•In-State Tuition: $62,982•Admission Rate: 12%•Avg SAT: 1530
2026 ROI Award Winner
#1 in Missouri
Median Earnings (1yr)
$110,302
95th percentile
Median Debt
$15,500
34% below national median
D/E Ratio: 0.14 ManageableSample: 68 graduates

Analysis

Washington University's Computer Science graduates earn $110,302 in their first year—a remarkable 56% premium over Missouri's median CS salary and 55% above the national average. This places the program in the 95th percentile both nationally and statewide, outperforming even the state's next-best program (UMSL at $72,810) by more than 50%. The debt load of $15,500 is manageable in absolute terms, though it ranks in the 90th percentile nationally simply because many CS programs carry even less debt. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.14 means graduates typically earn seven times their debt in their first year alone.

The value calculation here is straightforward: WashU's CS program delivers elite outcomes that justify its selective admissions (12% acceptance rate, 1530 average SAT). The only real consideration is whether your child can gain admission and whether the full cost of attendance—which may exceed the median debt figure for higher-income families—remains proportional to these earnings. For students receiving typical financial aid packages that keep total debt near this $15,500 median, this represents one of the strongest earnings-to-debt propositions available in computer science.

The moderate sample size (30-100 graduates) is sufficient for confidence in these numbers. Bottom line: if your child is admitted and the net price is reasonable, this program offers access to premium tech industry opportunities that few Missouri institutions can match.

Where Washington University in St Louis Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all computer science bachelors's programs nationally

Washington University in St LouisOther computer science programs

Dashed lines show national medians. Upper-left = best value.

Earnings Distribution

How Washington University in St Louis graduates compare to all programs nationally

Washington University in St Louis earns $110k — 95th percentile among computer science bachelors programs.

Compare to Similar Programs in Missouri

Computer Science bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Missouri (20 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
Washington University in St LouisSt. Louis$62,982$110,302—$15,5000.14
University of Missouri-St LouisSaint Louis$13,440$72,810$82,631$24,7360.34
Webster UniversitySaint Louis$30,730$70,400$79,651——
Saint Louis UniversitySaint Louis$53,244$69,849—$27,0000.39
University of Missouri-Kansas CityKansas City$11,988$69,239$81,653$26,3750.38
University of Central MissouriWarrensburg$9,739$67,040$83,123$21,5000.32
National Median—$70,950—$23,3740.33

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with computer science graduates

Computer and Information Systems Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as electronic data processing, information systems, systems analysis, and computer programming.

$171,200/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Computer and Information Research Scientists

Conduct research into fundamental computer and information science as theorists, designers, or inventors. Develop solutions to problems in the field of computer hardware and software.

$140,910/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Software Developers

Research, design, and develop computer and network software or specialized utility programs. Analyze user needs and develop software solutions, applying principles and techniques of computer science, engineering, and mathematical analysis. Update software or enhance existing software capabilities. May work with computer hardware engineers to integrate hardware and software systems, and develop specifications and performance requirements. May maintain databases within an application area, working individually or coordinating database development as part of a team.

$131,450/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers

Develop and execute software tests to identify software problems and their causes. Test system modifications to prepare for implementation. Document software and application defects using a bug tracking system and report defects to software or web developers. Create and maintain databases of known defects. May participate in software design reviews to provide input on functional requirements, operational characteristics, product designs, and schedules.

$131,450/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Information Security Analysts

Plan, implement, upgrade, or monitor security measures for the protection of computer networks and information. Assess system vulnerabilities for security risks and propose and implement risk mitigation strategies. May ensure appropriate security controls are in place that will safeguard digital files and vital electronic infrastructure. May respond to computer security breaches and viruses.

$124,910/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Database Architects

Design strategies for enterprise databases, data warehouse systems, and multidimensional networks. Set standards for database operations, programming, query processes, and security. Model, design, and construct large relational databases or data warehouses. Create and optimize data models for warehouse infrastructure and workflow. Integrate new systems with existing warehouse structure and refine system performance and functionality.

$123,100/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Data Warehousing Specialists

Design, model, or implement corporate data warehousing activities. Program and configure warehouses of database information and provide support to warehouse users.

$123,100/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Data Scientists

Develop and implement a set of techniques or analytics applications to transform raw data into meaningful information using data-oriented programming languages and visualization software. Apply data mining, data modeling, natural language processing, and machine learning to extract and analyze information from large structured and unstructured datasets. Visualize, interpret, and report data findings. May create dynamic data reports.

$112,590/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Business Intelligence Analysts

Produce financial and market intelligence by querying data repositories and generating periodic reports. Devise methods for identifying data patterns and trends in available information sources.

$112,590/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Clinical Data Managers

Apply knowledge of health care and database management to analyze clinical data, and to identify and report trends.

$112,590/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Computer Programmers

Create, modify, and test the code and scripts that allow computer applications to run. Work from specifications drawn up by software and web developers or other individuals. May develop and write computer programs to store, locate, and retrieve specific documents, data, and information.

$98,670/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Web Developers

Develop and implement websites, web applications, application databases, and interactive web interfaces. Evaluate code to ensure that it is properly structured, meets industry standards, and is compatible with browsers and devices. Optimize website performance, scalability, and server-side code and processes. May develop website infrastructure and integrate websites with other computer applications.

$95,380/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree
About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Washington University in St Louis, approximately 16% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Sample Size: Based on 68 graduates with reported earnings and 55 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.