Information Science/Studies at Alexandria Technical & Community College

Based on comparable information science programs nationwide, an associate's degree here would likely leave students with around $13,125 in debt and first-year earnings near $39,000—a manageable 0.34 debt-to-earnings ratio that suggests graduates could reasonably handle their loans. That debt load sits right at the national median for these programs, while the estimated earnings mirror what similar associate's programs produce across the country. For a two-year credential in a field with tech applications, these numbers point to a practical investment rather than a financial gamble.

Minnesota has just four schools offering this associate's degree, and none report sufficient graduate data for direct comparison—a sign these programs remain relatively small across the state. The low Pell grant percentage (16%) at Alexandria Tech suggests the student body skews toward families with more resources, though that says nothing about program quality or outcomes. What matters more is whether $39,000 provides enough runway in Minnesota's job market, where IT support roles and similar positions can start in this range but often require additional credentials or experience for advancement.

The straightforward takeaway: if your child can complete this program near the estimated debt figure and plans to stack credentials or gain experience quickly, the numbers work. But since these are estimates from peer programs rather than Alexandria Tech's actual outcomes, press the school for placement rates and where recent graduates actually land jobs.