Computer and Information Sciences at Westcliff University

A debt load of nearly $49,000 stands out immediately—that's more than double what California computer science bachelor's graduates typically carry ($19,007 statewide median) and nearly double the national median of $25,000. Comparable programs across California suggest first-year earnings around $53,900, which means this degree comes with a nearly 1:1 debt-to-earnings ratio. That's a heavy burden for a tech field where other California schools routinely produce graduates earning $70,000 to $136,000 with far less debt.

The economics here look particularly challenging when you consider that California's tech market is robust enough that the median computer science graduate in the state earns about $54,000—very similar to what peer programs suggest for Westcliff—but typically graduates with less than half the debt. With only 2% of students receiving Pell grants, this isn't primarily serving lower-income students who might have fewer alternatives. For a field where earnings potential varies dramatically by school, these estimated figures suggest this particular program requires substantial borrowing without delivering the salary premium that would justify it.

For families considering this investment, the debt burden relative to California alternatives is the critical issue. Even if actual outcomes differ from these peer-based estimates, you'd want clear evidence that graduates are achieving earnings significantly above the state median to justify debt levels this far above state norms.