Computer Science at Western Governors University

Western Governors University's online Computer Science program produces graduates earning $83,860 in their first year—nearly $13,000 above the national median and placing it in the 78th percentile nationally. For a fully online program with tuition well below traditional universities, these outcomes are impressive. The debt load of $17,796 is among the lowest you'll find for CS programs, sitting 24% below the national median and resulting in a highly manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.21. That means graduates owe less than three months of their first-year salary.

Within Utah, WGU sits in the middle of the pack at the 60th percentile, earning less than BYU and University of Utah but outperforming several brick-and-mortar options. The competency-based model means motivated students can accelerate through coursework and graduate faster (potentially lowering total costs even further), though the self-directed format requires discipline. With 35% of students receiving Pell grants, WGU serves a more economically diverse population than many tech programs while still delivering strong outcomes.

For families concerned about CS degree costs—which nationally average over $23,000 in debt—this represents exceptional value. Graduates enter the workforce earning more than three-quarters of CS majors nationwide while carrying significantly less debt. The online format won't appeal to everyone, but the financial fundamentals are sound.