Computer Science at Youngstown State University

Youngstown State's Computer Science program starts graduates at $66,674—about $7,000 below both Ohio's state median and the national average for CS programs. That places it in the 40th percentile among Ohio's 38 computer science programs, meaning six out of ten alternatives in-state would likely yield higher starting salaries. More concerning is the earnings trajectory: graduates see income actually drop to $60,026 by year four, a 10% decline that runs counter to typical tech career progression.

The $21,000 median debt load is manageable, translating to a 0.31 debt-to-earnings ratio that keeps monthly payments reasonable even with the lower salaries. For students committed to staying in the Youngstown area or needing the accessibility of an 80% admission rate school, this could work—the program won't saddle them with crushing debt. However, the small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these numbers could shift significantly year to year.

If your child has options at schools like Cedarville, Franklin, or University of Dayton—all producing graduates earning $74,000-$77,000—those represent $10,000-$15,000 annual premiums that compound substantially over a career. For CS specifically, where Ohio has strong programs, Youngstown State appears to be a below-average choice unless location or admission requirements make alternatives impractical.