Computer and Information Sciences at Barstow Community College

An estimated debt load of $12,500 positions this program below both national and California medians for associate's degrees in computer science—though the earnings picture tells a more complicated story. Based on comparable programs nationally, first-year earnings hover around $36,000, which is substantially below what similar programs across California typically produce ($45,000). That gap matters in a state where tech sector opportunities should theoretically lift all boats, suggesting Barstow's inland location and distance from major job markets may constrain graduate outcomes.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.35 looks manageable on paper, representing roughly four months of gross income. However, this calculation relies entirely on national estimates since the program's actual graduate cohort is too small for the Department of Education to publish outcomes. For nearly half the student body receiving Pell grants, that $36,000 starting salary in high-cost California could stretch thin quickly, even with relatively modest debt.

Before committing, your family should investigate where Barstow's computer science graduates actually land jobs and at what salaries. The $9,000 gap between these estimates and California's typical outcomes is significant enough that understanding whether this program connects students to coastal tech opportunities—or primarily serves local employers in the High Desert region—becomes essential to evaluating the investment.