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When you do it part time, it takes much more than 4 years. Interest accumulates over time too. I knew a guy with a CS degree that couldn't get a job 5 years af

When you do it part time, it takes much more than 4 years. Interest accumulates over time too. I knew a guy with a CS degree that couldn't get a job 5 years after too. Even if you do get work with only CS it won't pay as much as even junior jobs at tech/finance/oil firms (which are picky and cheap) on top of that people in their 40s usually support a family so loan payments will usually be minimal. A decade at least even for the dilligent

s1artibartfast 6y ago
I agree that the CS degree isn't without risk. I also agree that it wouldnt make financial sense to leave a career in tech/finance/oil to go back to school in CS. That said, the median individual income in the US is about 35K [1] and the median entry level CS salary is about 80K [2]. For a lot of people, that is a great deal for the cost. My big concern is what happens to the people who don't make it through the program, but get stuck with debt they can't discharge. [1] https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/MEPAINUSA672N https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/MEPAINUSA672N [2] https://www.indeed.com/career/entry-level-software-engineer/salaries https://www.indeed.com/career/entry-level-software-engineer/...
- badrabbit 6y ago
  A late 30s guy with a CS degree and no experience will get far less than the median entry level. I think having sufficient social services and interest free tuition assistance for working adults would help a lot.
  - legerdemain 6y ago
    Late-30s career changers with a fresh CS degree are rare enough that it's hard to talk in knee-jerk generalities. Did you have stats for a population of people like this? Do you have friends or relatives in this situation? Have you hired a person like that for horrifically low pay? I'd very curious to hear about your experience!
    - badrabbit 6y ago
      Just vaguely remembered stories from people at a community college course I attended a few years ago, some were trying to do more after a CS degree.
  - s1artibartfast 6y ago
    For what it is worth, Pell grants offer up to $6,350/yr financial aid no strings attached. FAFSA offers ~$12,000/yr interest free loan while you are in school. Both programs are means tested though.
    - legerdemain 6y ago
      Pell grants are only available for students working on their first degree. The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is the omnibus application form for a range of federal student aid (including Pell grants). Are you thinking of Stafford loans?
      - s1artibartfast 6y ago
        I’m not so familiar with all of the programs, but the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan program is probably what I was looking at

s1artibartfast 6y ago

I agree that the CS degree isn't without risk. I also agree that it wouldnt make financial sense to leave a career in tech/finance/oil to go back to school in CS. That said, the median individual income in the US is about 35K [1] and the median entry level CS salary is about 80K [2]. For a lot of people, that is a great deal for the cost. My big concern is what happens to the people who don't make it through the program, but get stuck with debt they can't discharge. [1] https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/MEPAINUSA672N https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/MEPAINUSA672N [2] https://www.indeed.com/career/entry-level-software-engineer/salaries https://www.indeed.com/career/entry-level-software-engineer/...

badrabbit 6y ago
A late 30s guy with a CS degree and no experience will get far less than the median entry level. I think having sufficient social services and interest free tuition assistance for working adults would help a lot.
- legerdemain 6y ago
  Late-30s career changers with a fresh CS degree are rare enough that it's hard to talk in knee-jerk generalities. Did you have stats for a population of people like this? Do you have friends or relatives in this situation? Have you hired a person like that for horrifically low pay? I'd very curious to hear about your experience!
  - badrabbit 6y ago
    Just vaguely remembered stories from people at a community college course I attended a few years ago, some were trying to do more after a CS degree.
- s1artibartfast 6y ago
  For what it is worth, Pell grants offer up to $6,350/yr financial aid no strings attached. FAFSA offers ~$12,000/yr interest free loan while you are in school. Both programs are means tested though.
  - legerdemain 6y ago
    Pell grants are only available for students working on their first degree. The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is the omnibus application form for a range of federal student aid (including Pell grants). Are you thinking of Stafford loans?
    - s1artibartfast 6y ago
      I’m not so familiar with all of the programs, but the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan program is probably what I was looking at