Compare 19 Computer Science. programs in Pennsylvania. Average earnings: $81,266.
With top graduates earning $247,552, Computer Science stands out as a field where program choice matters more than school name. The gap between the best and median programs exceeds $166K—proof that evaluating programs individually beats relying on institutional prestige.
Carnegie Mellon University's Computer Science program leads with graduates earning $247,552, nearly double the $146,438 at University of Pennsylvania despite both being elite institutions. This $101K gap between top programs demonstrates how program-specific factors drive outcomes more than overall school reputation.
High earnings don't guarantee smart borrowing. Carnegie Mellon graduates borrow $21,750 but face just a 1.3% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. Even with its $58,880 family debt load, the 3.9% burden remains easily manageable—proof that top programs can deliver both outcomes and affordability.
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Carnegie Mellon UniversityPrivate | $247,552 | 237 | $21,750 | Excellent | $37,130 | Excellent |
| #2 | University Of PennsylvaniaPrivate | $146,438 | 107 | $15,715 | Excellent | $33,124 | Excellent |
| #3 | Lehigh UniversityPrivate | $106,799 | 108 | $21,960 | Excellent | $42,245 | Good |
| #4 | Drexel UniversityPrivate | $104,182 | 140 | $25,325 | Excellent | $40,932 | Manageable |
| #5 | $85,906 | 204 | $24,250 | Excellent | $35,031 | Manageable | |
| #6 | $75,364 | 19 | $26,000 | Excellent | $26,233 | Manageable | |
| #7 | Gettysburg CollegePrivate | $74,642 | 18 | $26,999 | Excellent | $62,000 | High |
| #8 | La Salle UniversityPrivate | $70,783 | 22 | $25,000 | Excellent | $31,871 | Manageable |
| #9 | Ursinus CollegePrivate | $67,995 | 8 | $27,000 | Good | $59,162 | High |
| #10 | Duquesne UniversityPrivate | $65,098 | 16 | $26,244 | Good | $57,511 | High |
| #11 | Saint Joseph's UniversityPrivate | $62,647 | 16 | $25,500 | Good | $42,436 | High |
| #12 | Allegheny CollegePrivate | $58,811 | 20 | $27,000 | Good | $30,598 | Challenging |
| #13 | $57,318 | 21 | $25,000 | Good | $38,368 | High | |
| #14 | Seton Hill UniversityPrivate | $55,547 | 12 | $27,000 | Good | $32,366 | High |
| #15 | University Of ScrantonPrivate | $55,390 | 15 | $27,000 | Good | $41,370 | High |
| #16 | York College Of PennsylvaniaPrivate | $54,644 | 22 | $26,000 | Good | $33,999 | High |
| #17 | Moravian UniversityPrivate | $52,133 | 10 | $26,793 | Manageable | $48,375 | High |
| #18 | Widener UniversityPrivate | $51,536 | 12 | $27,000 | Manageable | $33,146 | High |
| #19 | Messiah UniversityPrivate | $51,273 | 16 | $25,621 | Manageable | $37,908 | High |
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 →
