Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications at Arapahoe Community College

Comparable networking programs nationally suggest first-year earnings around $43,000—a solid starting point for a two-year degree, though Colorado's tech market appears more competitive. The state median for this credential sits at $39,000, but Front Range Community College's networking graduates report earning over $52,000, showing what's achievable at the high end. Arapahoe's estimated outcomes land closer to the national average than to Colorado's top performers, which matters in a state where cost of living in the Denver metro runs high.

The debt picture looks more favorable. At an estimated $16,000, this would be substantially below both the state median ($20,000) and national median ($22,000) for networking associate degrees, putting the debt-to-earnings ratio at a manageable 0.37. That means roughly four months of gross income to cover the total borrowed—a reasonable burden for an entry-level IT credential.

The challenge is the uncertainty. With both figures estimated from peer programs rather than actual graduate outcomes, you're making decisions on borrowed data. Before committing, push the school for placement rates, employer partnerships, and Cisco or CompTIA certification pass rates—concrete indicators that matter more than estimated earnings when you can't see the real track record. If Arapahoe can demonstrate strong industry connections and certification success, the estimated debt level makes this a reasonable gamble. Without that proof, you're betting on potential rather than performance.