Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management at Arkansas State University-Mountain Home

In Arkansas, IT administration programs typically produce stronger outcomes than national figures suggest for this Mountain Home program. The state median sits at $61,810—nearly 50% higher than the $41,752 estimate derived from national peers. That gap matters when you're considering a two-year investment, even one with manageable debt.

The estimated $17,500 debt load is actually lower than both the state and national medians for this credential, which would normally be reassuring. But paired with earnings that appear to lag behind what other Arkansas programs deliver, the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.42 doesn't tell the full story. You're looking at potentially taking on debt that's reasonable in absolute terms but attached to earnings that may not reflect what's achievable for tech graduates in this state.

The core question is whether this specific program—serving a substantial population of Pell-eligible students in a smaller Arkansas city—can match the placement and employer connections of its peers. With only estimated figures available due to small graduate samples, you'll need to ask the school directly about job placement rates, where recent graduates work, and starting salaries for their completers specifically. The risk isn't the debt—it's investing two years for outcomes that might fall short of what Arkansas employers actually pay IT professionals.