Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management at Cabrillo College

Based on comparable IT administration programs in California, this associate degree appears to track right at the state median with estimated first-year earnings around $40,000—though that lags slightly behind the national benchmark of $41,752. The estimated debt load of $17,500 is actually better than both the national and state medians, putting the debt-to-earnings ratio at a manageable 0.44. For context, similar programs at Laurus College and MTI College report first-year earnings in the same $40,000 range, suggesting these estimates reflect realistic outcomes for IT associate degrees in California.

The challenge is that $40,000 in IT isn't exactly impressive when four-year computer science graduates often start above $70,000. However, an associate degree gets your child into the workforce two years earlier with less debt. If they're targeting help desk, tech support, or junior network administration roles—positions where certifications and experience matter more than credentials—this could work. The real question is whether they plan to continue toward a bachelor's degree, which would dramatically improve their earning trajectory.

The lack of program-specific data here matters because we can't see how Cabrillo's particular curriculum or regional employer connections perform. If your child is committed to IT but wants to test the waters before committing to a four-year program, this could be a reasonable starting point—just recognize you're betting on peer program outcomes, not proven results from this specific school.