Computer Science at York College of Pennsylvania

York College's computer science program sits right at the Pennsylvania median for earnings ($67,310), which tells you something important: this is a solid, middle-of-the-pack option in a state where CS programs vary wildly. While it can't compete with Carnegie Mellon's $171K or even Drexel's $87K starting salaries, it significantly outperforms the $71K national median when you account for debt load. At $27,000 in median debt—well below both state and national averages—graduates finish with one of the lowest debt burdens among CS programs anywhere.

That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.40 means graduates owe about five months' salary, which is manageable territory for a technical degree. The 94% admission rate and moderate SAT scores suggest York accepts a broader range of students than elite tech schools, yet still delivers competitive outcomes. For Pennsylvania families, the comparison that matters most is likely against state schools: you're getting identical starting salaries to Penn State's main campus while attending a more accessible institution.

The bottom line: if your child can get into Carnegie Mellon or Lehigh, the earnings bump probably justifies the effort. But for students who need a realistic path into tech without crushing debt, York delivers exactly what its middling rankings suggest—a dependable computer science education that gets graduates employed at fair wages with minimal financial stress.