Mathematics and Computer Science at Western Oregon University

A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.27 is solidly in safe territory—the kind of number financial aid counselors like to see. Based on comparable Mathematics and Computer Science programs nationally, graduates typically earn around $90,000 in their first year while carrying roughly $24,000 in debt. That means the estimated debt could be paid off in about three months of gross income, assuming aggressive repayment. The combination of high starting earnings and moderate debt suggests this program, like its peers, channels students toward technical roles that employers value.

The program sits at an open-access institution where 40% of students receive Pell grants, indicating Western Oregon serves many first-generation and lower-income students. For families weighing cost against opportunity, the estimated debt load is manageable relative to what similar programs produce nationally. Computer science skills remain in high demand across Oregon's tech sector, from Portland startups to established firms, which should support solid employment prospects even if actual outcomes for this specific cohort vary from the peer-program estimates.

The main caveat: these figures reflect what happens at similar programs elsewhere, not what Western Oregon's own graduates experience. With only five schools in Oregon offering this particular combination of mathematics and computer science, and none reporting actual data publicly, you're making this decision with less concrete information than you'd have for more commonly tracked programs. That said, the estimated financial profile suggests a reasonable investment if your child is committed to technical work.