Compare 7 Computer Programming. programs in the Midwest. Average earnings: $70,410.
With top graduates earning $94,556, Computer Programming stands out as a field where program choice matters more than school name. The gap between the best and median programs exceeds $24K—proof that evaluating programs individually beats relying on institutional prestige.
University of Michigan-Dearborn's Computer Programming program leads with graduates earning $94,556, well above the $70,410 regional average. Baker College follows at $84,353, demonstrating how program-specific factors drive outcomes more than overall institutional rankings across these 7 Midwest programs.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. University of Michigan-Dearborn graduates borrow $22,500 and face just a 4.3% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. That means loan payments take a minimal bite out of their post-grad income.
Highest program earnings: $94,556
Strong outcomes with 59% acceptance
4.3% payment burden | Excellent
7.8% family burden | Excellent
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $94,556 | 48 | $22,500 | Excellent | $16,132 | Excellent | |
| #2 | Baker CollegePrivate | $84,353 | 11 | $25,000 | Excellent | $9,540 | Excellent |
| #3 | Depaul UniversityPrivate | $77,282 | 159 | $23,168 | Excellent | $41,563 | Manageable |
| #4 | $64,311 | 31 | $23,250 | Excellent | $22,000 | Manageable | |
| #5 | $58,898 | 9 | $24,000 | Good | $16,900 | Manageable | |
| #6 | $57,162 | 73 | $21,000 | Good | $11,833 | Manageable | |
| #7 | Southwestern CollegePrivate | $56,305 | 36 | $25,000 | Good | $19,900 | Challenging |
Our program rankings answer: "Which schools have the best outcomes for graduates of this specific major?"
Unlike traditional rankings that measure overall school quality, these rankings focus on program-level outcomes. A school that's #200 overall might have a top-10 nursing program — and that matters if you're studying nursing.
Data based on 2024-2025 Dept of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
