Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications at Austin Community College District

Austin Community College's networking certificate lands graduates at $49,424 within a year—substantially above the national median of $36,915 for this credential. While that 95th percentile national ranking looks impressive, the Texas context tells a more nuanced story: this sits right at the state median, meaning half of Texas networking programs deliver similar results. Given Austin's robust tech economy, this is roughly what you'd expect from a solid community college program.

The $15,729 in debt translates to a 0.32 ratio against first-year earnings, which is manageable territory—graduates would need about four months of their salary to cover the debt. That's considerably less leveraged than the typical bachelor's degree investment. However, the small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these figures could swing significantly year to year, so don't treat them as gospel.

For families choosing between Texas programs, Austin CC performs comparably to Dallas College (which reports $50,493) but costs less in tuition as a community college. The real question is whether a certificate is the right endpoint or a stepping stone: many tech employers in Austin increasingly expect bachelor's degrees for advancement. If your student plans to transfer these credits toward a four-year degree, this makes sense. As a terminal credential for immediate employment, it's viable but not exceptional within the state's competitive tech market.