Analysis
A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.35 signals manageable borrowing—graduates with $25,000 in loans and first-year earnings around $71,000 would direct roughly 10-15% of pre-tax income toward loan payments. That said, these figures come from comparable Iowa programs, not William Penn's actual outcomes. The school enrolls nearly half its students on Pell grants and serves a population that may face different post-graduation trajectories than the state medians suggest. Computer science programs can vary dramatically in rigor, employer recognition, and job placement support—factors that matter enormously when competing for entry-level developer roles.
Iowa's CS job market clusters around Des Moines and the Quad Cities, where regional employers often recruit from larger state schools. Peer programs across Iowa show a $20,000 spread in first-year earnings, from Luther College at $63,760 to Grinnell at $84,449, underscoring how much institutional resources and networks can affect outcomes. Without reported data specific to William Penn, you're essentially betting that this program performs near the state middle—not unreasonable, but not guaranteed.
Before committing, push the school for concrete placement data: where do graduates actually work, what kinds of roles do they land, and how many secure positions before graduation? The estimated numbers suggest decent value, but the absence of reported outcomes means you'll need other evidence that this particular program delivers on the promise of computer science credentials.
Where William Penn University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all computer science bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Iowa
Computer Science bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Iowa (19 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $28,750 | $70,950* | — | $25,000* | — | |
| $64,862 | $84,449* | $106,113 | $16,375* | 0.19 | |
| $10,497 | $78,517* | $94,712 | $24,663* | 0.31 | |
| $46,212 | $70,950* | — | $25,000* | 0.35 | |
| $9,728 | $65,960* | $80,228 | $26,200* | 0.40 | |
| $50,320 | $63,760* | $100,968 | $27,000* | 0.42 | |
| National Median | — | $70,950* | — | $23,374* | 0.33 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with computer science graduates
Computer and Information Systems Managers
Computer and Information Research Scientists
Software Developers
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers
Information Security Analysts
Database Architects
Data Warehousing Specialists
Data Scientists
Business Intelligence Analysts
Clinical Data Managers
Computer Programmers
Web Developers
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At William Penn University, approximately 46% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 5 similar programs in IA. Actual outcomes may vary.