Computer Science at Willamette University

Willamette's computer science graduates earn $80,077 in their first year—solidly above the national median but trailing most Oregon programs. That 40th percentile ranking in-state tells the real story: while this program performs well nationally, it sits in the middle of the pack compared to Oregon State, University of Portland, and Portland State, all of which report higher starting salaries. The estimated debt load of $25,000, derived from comparable private institutions nationwide, translates to a manageable 0.31 debt-to-earnings ratio that matches industry standards.

For a selective liberal arts college with an 1339 average SAT, these outcomes are somewhat underwhelming. Computer science typically rewards technical training intensity over institutional prestige, and Willamette's smaller program appears to face the challenge common to liberal arts colleges entering this space—competing against larger universities with deeper industry connections and more established recruiting pipelines. The $80K figure is respectable, but when Oregon State's graduates start $5,300 higher, parents should consider whether Willamette's smaller classes and liberal arts environment justify potentially leaving money on the table.

The debt estimate provides reasonable confidence the financial picture won't be worse than presented here, but without actual graduate outcomes from this specific program, you're betting on Willamette bucking the trend where its Oregon peers deliver stronger early earnings. If the liberal arts experience is the priority, these numbers work. If maximizing computer science ROI is the goal, the state offers better-performing alternatives.