Computer Programming at Big Bend Community College

A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.47 suggests manageable financial positioning for an associate degree in programming, though understanding the data limitations matters here. With earnings and debt both derived from national medians—$38,086 and $17,750 respectively—you're looking at what peer programs typically produce rather than Big Bend's specific track record. The suppressed data stems from small graduate cohorts, not institutional concealment, but it does mean you're making decisions with less certainty than you'd have at larger programs.

The estimated first-year earnings land right at the national median for programming associate degrees, neither ahead nor behind the typical outcome. In Washington's tech-oriented economy, this middle-of-the-road positioning raises questions about whether graduates are accessing the state's stronger tech opportunities or settling into lower-tier IT roles. With 17 programs statewide and none reporting public outcomes data, you're comparing estimates against estimates—hardly ideal when evaluating a nearly $18,000 investment.

The practical consideration: if your child can complete this program with the estimated debt load and secure employment near $38,000, they'd face annual loan payments around 12% of gross income—workable but tight. However, before committing, contact Big Bend directly about recent graduate outcomes and employer connections. Small cohorts sometimes indicate either a nascent program still building reputation or one that hasn't gained traction locally. You need to know which scenario applies here.