Computer and Information Sciences at Winston-Salem State University

Winston-Salem State's computer science graduates start at $41,819—well below the $54,096 median for North Carolina tech programs and placing in just the 5th percentile nationally. While debt appears manageable at an estimated $27,000 (based on comparable programs at the institution), this creates a concerning gap when typical NC computer science programs launch careers at substantially higher salaries. North Carolina Central and East Carolina graduates, for instance, earn 78% and 66% more respectively in their first year.

The 45% earnings growth to $60,698 by year four shows graduates do catch up somewhat, but they're starting from a significant disadvantage in a field where entry-level salaries matter enormously for career trajectory. In tech, your first job often determines your second, and beginning $12,000-$20,000 behind peers from other NC programs could have compounding effects. The school serves a predominantly Pell-eligible population (61%), which makes the below-market starting salary particularly significant for families counting on immediate earning power to justify the investment.

For families specifically interested in Winston-Salem State, understand you're accepting substantially lower initial earnings than most NC computer science programs deliver. If your student has admission options at UNC Charlotte, ECU, or NC Central, the earnings data strongly favors those alternatives. The estimated debt itself isn't the problem—it's that the first-year salary is too low for a field that should command premium pay even at entry level.