Computer and Information Sciences at Western Colorado University

Western Colorado University's computer science program sits in interesting territory—the estimated $71,574 first-year salary based on comparable Colorado programs matches the state median exactly and exceeds the national benchmark by over $10,000. The estimated $24,125 in debt is notably lower than both state and national medians for this degree, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.34 that suggests manageable repayment. However, these figures come from a small pool of similar programs statewide, and the school's 97% admission rate and modest test scores suggest this may not be the most selective path into tech.

The reality is that Colorado's tech market can support strong outcomes across different institutions, but peer programs in the state show considerable variation—from Colorado State's nearly $79,000 to Colorado Mesa's $65,000. Where Western Colorado would actually fall in this range is uncertain given the estimated nature of the data. The lower debt projection is encouraging, particularly for a mountain town school where living costs might run high, but it's unclear whether that advantage would hold for this specific cohort.

For parents weighing this option, the fundamental calculation looks reasonable on paper: tech degrees generally justify their cost, and these estimates suggest Western Colorado won't saddle students with outsized debt. But with such limited actual data from this program, you're making an educated guess rather than an informed decision. If your student is set on Western Colorado for other reasons—location, campus fit, outdoor access—the computer science path doesn't appear risky. If the decision hinges purely on career outcomes, programs with reported data offer more certainty about what you're buying.