Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management at CBT Technology Institute-Main Campus

This short-term IT certificate shows something unusual in the data: first-year earnings that appear stronger than the four-year mark. Peer programs nationally suggest starting salaries around $42,000, but reported earnings drop to $35,000 by year four—an outcome that typically signals either career pivots away from IT or the challenges of advancing without a bachelor's degree in a competitive tech market like Miami.

The estimated debt of roughly $10,400 is manageable compared to four-year degrees, working out to about three months of that initial salary based on comparable programs. That's considerably lower than the national median of $12,000 for similar certificates. However, when earnings potentially decline rather than grow, even moderate debt becomes harder to justify. The 100% Pell grant rate here indicates this program serves students for whom any educational debt carries significant weight.

For parents weighing this investment, the key question is whether a certificate alone provides enough credentialing in South Florida's IT sector. The downward earnings trajectory suggests many graduates may need additional training or degrees to advance, which would mean this certificate functions more as a stepping stone than a destination credential. If your child plans to continue their education, this could work as an affordable entry point—but as a standalone qualification, the earnings pattern raises questions about long-term viability in IT roles.