Computer and Information Sciences at Centralia College

A bachelor's in computer science from a community college is an unusual path, and the estimated numbers here suggest it might work financially. Based on comparable programs across Washington, graduates could expect around $70,800 in first-year earnings against roughly $17,800 in debt—a ratio that would make this among the more affordable routes into tech work in the state.

What makes this particularly interesting is how Centralia's estimated debt compares to peer institutions. While similar programs in Washington typically produce median debt around $19,300, and four-year universities like Pacific Lutheran see students borrowing significantly more, this program appears positioned to deliver comparable outcomes at lower cost. The estimated earnings match Washington's state median exactly, putting potential graduates in the same salary ballpark as those from the University of Washington system.

The catch is that these figures are extrapolated from other programs, not Centralia's actual track record, which isn't available due to small cohort sizes. That means there's real uncertainty about whether this specific program delivers on the financial promise. For a student serious about software development or IT, this could be a smart financial play—but they should verify the curriculum is rigorous and connects to actual employers, since the debt advantage only matters if the job outcomes materialize.