Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management at Augusta Technical College

Based on comparable programs nationally, an associate's degree in IT Administration here would leave graduates with about $17,500 in debt—well below both the national and Georgia medians for this field. That's the good news. The challenge is that first-year earnings of $36,047 land at the state median but trail the national benchmark by roughly $5,700, putting graduates behind peers at technical colleges like Chattahoochee and Gwinnett where IT administration programs typically produce $42,000-$44,000 in first-year earnings.

The 35% earnings growth to $48,604 by year four suggests this degree can lead somewhere, particularly for the 42% of students receiving Pell grants who need affordable pathways into tech. Similar programs in Georgia show that estimated debt levels here represent less than half a year's starting salary—a manageable burden compared to programs where debt exceeds first-year earnings. However, the gap between Augusta Tech's outcomes and stronger technical college programs in the state indicates graduates may need to work harder to reach competitive salary levels.

For families weighing this investment: the modest estimated debt makes this program lower-risk than many alternatives, but expect your student to start behind peers from Georgia's higher-performing IT programs. If location or accessibility makes Augusta Tech the practical choice, the debt picture won't cripple your child's finances—just understand that catching up to market-rate IT salaries may take a few years and potentially require additional certifications.