Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications at Century College

In Minnesota's competitive landscape for network technology programs, where outcomes range from $38,654 to nearly $50,000, this program sits right at the state median. Similar programs in Minnesota suggest first-year earnings around $45,559, climbing to $61,260 by year four—a substantial 34% increase that indicates strong career progression in this field. That trajectory matters when you're carrying $20,000 in debt, which falls just below the state average for these programs.

The debt-to-earnings picture looks manageable here. At 0.44, the ratio means your child would owe roughly five months of their first-year salary, well within the "rule of thumb" that debt shouldn't exceed annual earnings. By year four, that same debt represents just a third of annual income. For an associate degree that takes two years to complete, these numbers suggest reasonable financial positioning, particularly since the four-year earnings figure is actual reported data from Century College graduates—not an estimate.

The practical consideration: peer programs in Minnesota show this field can launch careers ranging from modest to solid, and Century College's four-year outcomes land in the upper half of that range. The $20,000 debt is real and significant, but if your child follows the typical earnings progression shown here, they should be able to manage it while building toward better-paying roles.