Computer Programming at Wilmington University

A first-year salary of $35,551 for a bachelor's degree in computer programming should concern parents evaluating this investment. While debt estimates based on Wilmington's other programs suggest around $31,000—fairly manageable at 0.87 times first-year earnings—the earnings figure itself is the real problem. This program lands in the 5th percentile nationally among computer programming bachelor's degrees, where the typical graduate earns $50,242 in their first year and top programs produce salaries above $72,000.

The disconnect is stark: computer programming should be a lucrative field, yet these graduates earn barely more than Delaware's median wage for workers with just a high school diploma. Since Wilmington is the only Delaware school reporting data for this specific program, we can't determine whether this reflects regional market conditions or program-specific weaknesses. The fact that 26% of students receive Pell grants suggests the school serves cost-conscious families who may be particularly vulnerable to weak earnings outcomes.

Given that you're working with estimated debt figures and earnings that trail national peers by $15,000 annually, this requires serious scrutiny. Before committing, your child should investigate whether graduates actually secure programming jobs or end up in lower-paying IT support roles, and whether nearby programs in Pennsylvania or Maryland might offer stronger industry connections for a similar investment.