Computer and Information Sciences at Widener University

The debt picture here looks manageable—comparable computer science programs in Pennsylvania suggest graduates leave with around $27,000 in loans while earning roughly $57,000 in their first year. That 0.47 debt-to-earnings ratio falls comfortably below the concerning 1.0 threshold, meaning the degree should be financially sustainable from the start.

However, that $57,000 starting salary sits at Pennsylvania's median for this major, which trails the $61,000 national benchmark. More importantly, top computer science programs in the state produce dramatically different outcomes: Penn grads earn $146,000, Villanova and Lehigh grads start around $83,000. These aren't small differences—they represent vastly different career trajectories and networking opportunities. Similar programs across Pennsylvania show this wide range exists because not all CS degrees open the same doors.

For a family considering Widener, the question becomes whether the school's specific curriculum, industry connections, and recruiting relationships justify choosing it over alternatives. The estimated figures suggest this program won't create a financial crisis, but they also don't suggest it's positioned to deliver the high-earning outcomes that make computer science such an attractive major nationally. Before committing, you'd want clarity on where Widener's specific graduates actually land—which employers recruit on campus, what the placement rate looks like, and whether internship opportunities match what stronger programs provide.