Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management at Broward College

A debt load around $12,500 for a certificate program would typically be manageable if the earnings delivered—except here we're estimating both figures from peer programs, not tracking actual Broward College outcomes. Similar programs nationally suggest first-year earnings near $42,000, which would produce a healthy 0.30 debt-to-earnings ratio, but Florida's tech certificate landscape shows considerable variation. St. Petersburg College graduates earn $41,000, while Miami Dade comes in at $39,000—a $1,700 spread that matters when you're calculating monthly loan payments against entry-level IT salaries.

The challenge with certificates is that they work best as targeted skill upgrades for people already in the field or as quick pivots into high-demand roles. At $12,500 in estimated debt, this program costs more than many community college certificates, and without school-specific outcomes, you're betting that Broward's curriculum and employer connections match what's working at peer institutions. The 40% Pell grant rate suggests this program serves students who need IT credentials to work quickly, which makes the debt level particularly important to scrutinize.

Before committing, contact Broward's IT department directly and ask about actual graduate outcomes—job placement rates, starting salaries, and typical employers. If they can't provide specifics beyond what appears in federal data, that's a red flag. You want evidence that completers are landing help desk, network support, or junior admin roles that justify even modest borrowing.