Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications at Cabrillo College

For an associate's degree in networking and telecommunications, similar programs nationally suggest first-year earnings around $43,300—modest but workable given the relatively short time to completion. The estimated debt of $15,800 is actually below what comparable programs typically carry (the national median sits at nearly $22,000), which positions this as one of the more affordable pathways into IT infrastructure roles.

California's networking programs show higher typical earnings at $44,700, though they also carry substantially more debt—over $32,000 at the state median. If Cabrillo's actual outcomes align with these estimates, students would be entering the field with meaningfully less financial burden than peers at other California schools. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.37 suggests graduates could potentially pay off this debt within about four and a half months of gross income, assuming they secure employment near that estimated salary level.

The reality is that networking certifications and hands-on experience often matter as much as the degree itself in this field, so actual outcomes will depend heavily on what students do beyond coursework. Given the limited graduate sample that necessitated these estimates, talk directly with Cabrillo's program about job placement rates and which local employers hire their graduates—that concrete information matters more than projections from peer schools.