Computer and Information Sciences at Bluegrass Community and Technical College

This computer science certificate from Bluegrass Community and Technical College lands right in the middle of Kentucky's community college landscape—ranking 60th percentile statewide but falling slightly below the national median at just $37,019 in first-year earnings. That's about $4,400 less than what graduates at nearby Gateway Community and Technical College earn, a significant gap for credentials that likely involve similar time investments.

The debt picture offers some reassurance. At $14,823, it's higher than both state and national medians for these programs, but the 0.40 debt-to-earnings ratio remains manageable—graduates would need roughly five months of gross income to cover their total debt. With 35% of students receiving Pell grants, many attendees are likely financing much of this education through aid rather than loans. Still, that higher-than-typical debt load matters when earnings aren't keeping pace with peer programs.

For families in the Lexington area, this certificate can serve as an affordable entry point into tech work, but it's worth comparing options. If Gateway or Jefferson Community and Technical College are accessible, their graduates earn $4,000-$8,000 more annually—a meaningful difference that compounds over time. This program works best for students who need the geographic convenience of Bluegrass's location and understand they may need to be more aggressive about job placement or further credentialing to match earnings at Kentucky's stronger programs.