Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management at Bryant & Stratton College-Parma

Bryant & Stratton College-Parma's IT program starts rough but shows genuine momentum. Graduates earn just $31,581 in year one—landing in the 10th percentile nationally and 25th percentile among Ohio's IT associate programs. That's roughly $10,000 below what graduates from Cincinnati State or Central Ohio Technical College make right out of the gate. But here's what matters: by year four, earnings jump to $42,861, a 36% increase that closes most of that gap.

The $23,137 in debt isn't unreasonable for an associate degree, and the 0.73 debt-to-earnings ratio suggests payments will be manageable, even during those lean first years. The high Pell percentage (68%) indicates this program serves students who need a pathway into tech without massive debt loads. The question is whether your family can weather those early years when earnings lag behind peers at other Ohio schools.

If your child can live at home or has minimal living expenses during their first two years post-graduation, this program offers a viable entry point into IT with solid upward trajectory. If they need to support themselves immediately, though, those initial earnings could create real financial strain. Consider whether the $10,000 year-one earnings gap matters more than eventual convergence with state medians.