Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management at Berkeley College-Woodland Park

Is an associate's degree in IT administration worth roughly $26,000 in debt when peer programs nationally suggest first-year earnings around $42,000? That 0.62 debt-to-earnings ratio falls within manageable territory—you'd owe about seven months of pre-tax salary—but the real concern emerges when you look at New Jersey specifically. Similar programs in the state typically produce median earnings of $51,000, suggesting Berkeley College-Woodland Park's graduates may be underperforming their local competition by nearly $10,000 annually. That gap matters considerably when you're servicing debt.

The variation among New Jersey programs is striking. Strayer University-New Jersey reports outcomes above $61,000, while Brookdale Community College sits closer to $40,000—a $21,000 spread that demonstrates how dramatically school choice affects earning potential in this field. With 60% of Berkeley students receiving Pell grants, the financial stakes are particularly high for families who can least afford a program that underdelivers on the salary front.

Given that actual outcomes data for this specific program isn't available, you're essentially making an investment decision with incomplete information. The national benchmarks suggest this won't be a disaster, but the New Jersey comparisons raise questions about whether you could do better elsewhere in the state—potentially at a community college with lower tuition and comparable outcomes.