Computer and Information Sciences at Central Arizona College

At $35,761 in estimated first-year earnings, this program tracks with the national median for associate's degrees in computer science—but that's less reassuring when you look at Arizona specifically. Similar programs across the state typically produce median earnings around $48,236, suggesting graduates elsewhere in Arizona are earning nearly $13,000 more annually. That's a meaningful gap that warrants investigation into whether Central Arizona College's curriculum, employer connections, or geographic market differs significantly from peer institutions.

The estimated debt of $12,500 is notably lower than both state and national medians for this field, which helps offset the earnings concern. A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.35 means graduates would theoretically owe roughly four months' salary—manageable if those earnings figures hold. However, the wide gap between what comparable programs nationally versus locally produce creates uncertainty about post-graduation outcomes. Arizona's tech job market varies dramatically by region, and Coolidge's rural location may influence both salary levels and job availability compared to programs in Phoenix or Tucson.

The core question is whether this program connects students to the higher-paying opportunities that other Arizona tech programs access, or if geography and employer networks keep graduates closer to the national baseline. Before committing, verify where recent graduates actually work and what they earn—the estimates here can't tell you if this specific program is an outlier or follows the state pattern.