Computer Software and Media Applications at Champlain College

Champlain College's software and media applications program demonstrates something unusual: graduates who start strong and accelerate quickly. First-year earnings of $52,260 jump 37% to reach $71,607 by year four—significantly outpacing the typical trajectory for this field. While Vermont only has three schools offering this program, this one matches the state median initially but pulls ahead with superior earnings growth. More telling is the national comparison: these graduates earn 75th percentile wages in a field where the national median sits at just $38,234.

The $27,000 debt load is manageable, translating to a 0.52 debt-to-earnings ratio that should allow graduates to pay down loans while building careers. That's roughly half a year's starting salary—a reasonable burden for a technical degree. The program's strength lies in career momentum rather than just starting salary, suggesting graduates develop marketable skills that employers increasingly value.

For parents weighing Vermont's limited options in this field, Champlain delivers solid preparation for software careers at a reasonable price. The earnings trajectory matters more than the modest starting figure, and the four-year data shows graduates gaining traction in the job market rather than plateauing early.