Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management at Century College

In Minnesota's competitive IT landscape, similar associate degree programs suggest first-year earnings around $44,500—squarely at the state median but trailing technical colleges like Dakota County ($49,173) and Hennepin ($46,775) by several thousand dollars. The estimated debt load of roughly $17,900 falls below both state and national medians, which matters when peers at some schools are carrying $21,000 or more. That 0.40 debt-to-earnings ratio means borrowers would owe less than half their expected first-year income, a manageable burden that could be cleared within 2-3 years of aggressive repayment.

The catch? These figures come from peer programs across Minnesota, not Century College's actual graduate outcomes—the school's cohort was too small for the Department of Education to publish. What we know is that Minnesota IT associate programs cluster in the low-to-mid $40,000s, with technical colleges generally outperforming community colleges. Century sits in the middle tier based on comparable data, which suggests it may not position graduates as strongly as the state's top technical schools.

For families weighing this investment, the relatively modest debt estimate is encouraging, but the earnings gap compared to nearby technical options could compound to $20,000-$30,000 over just five years. If Century College offers location advantages or transfer pathways that matter to your family, the debt picture makes it workable—just understand you're relying on peer data rather than this program's proven track record.