Computer Programming at Cascadia College

A $43,727 first-year salary paired with $13,274 in debt—both estimates drawn from similar programming certificate programs nationwide—suggests manageable financial terms, but the estimation itself matters here. Without actual graduate outcomes from Cascadia, you're betting that this program will perform like the national middle-of-the-pack rather than tracking toward the $60,496 that stronger programs achieve. Washington's tech market runs hot, which could push outcomes higher than the national baseline, but you're operating on assumption rather than evidence.

The 0.30 debt-to-earnings ratio looks reasonable on paper, implying graduates could theoretically pay down debt within a year if they commit significant income to it. That calculation assumes the estimated salary materializes and that graduates land tech roles rather than adjacent positions with lower pay. Certificate programs can serve as quick entry points into coding work, but they also compete against bootcamp graduates, self-taught developers, and associate degree holders—all vying for similar entry-level positions.

Given the data gap, focus on what you can verify: internship partnerships, job placement services, and whether the curriculum aligns with current industry needs in the Seattle metro area. If Cascadia can demonstrate strong employer connections or a track record of graduates landing at recognizable companies, that matters more than estimated medians. Without those indicators, you're paying for credentials in a field where demonstrated skills often outweigh formal education.