Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications at Angelina College

In Texas, networking programs produce starting salaries that cluster around $38,000, and peer programs at similar community colleges suggest that's where Angelina College graduates likely land. That puts this program slightly below the national median of $43,276 but right in line with the Texas average. When you compare it to the state's top performers—Austin Community College gets graduates to $47,000, Houston Community College to nearly $43,000—there's clearly room for stronger outcomes, though Angelina's estimated figures don't lag dramatically behind mid-tier options like Dallas College.

The estimated debt load of $13,164 works strongly in this program's favor. Even if actual outcomes vary from these peer-based projections, that's substantially less than both the state median ($21,874) and national median for networking programs. A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.34 suggests graduates could reasonably pay off loans within a year or two of focused repayment—a manageable burden for an associate degree that provides direct entry to IT careers.

The gap between Angelina's estimated earnings and top-performing Texas programs matters, particularly since networking roles exist throughout the state. For families weighing this investment, the lighter debt load offers important protection, but investigating why some community colleges produce significantly better salary outcomes—whether through stronger employer partnerships, curriculum differences, or regional job markets—could reveal whether staying closer to home is worth the potential earnings trade-off.