Security Science and Technology at Champlain College

Champlain College's cybersecurity certificate delivers exceptional first-year earnings of $61,225—nearly $10,000 above the national median and ranking in the 95th percentile nationally. With just $30,666 in debt, graduates face a manageable 0.50 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning they could theoretically pay off their loans in six months of gross earnings. This is among the lowest debt loads in the country for this credential type.

The catch? Vermont has only two schools offering this certificate, making state comparisons less meaningful, and this program's sample size is small enough that a few outlier outcomes could skew the numbers significantly. Still, the fundamentals look solid. Champlain has built a strong reputation in cybersecurity education, and that brand recognition appears to translate into real labor market value for even short-term credential programs.

For parents considering this as either a standalone certificate or a stepping stone to further education, the risk-reward profile looks favorable. The debt load is modest, the earnings potential is strong, and cybersecurity skills remain in high demand. Just recognize that individual results may vary more than usual given the small cohort size—what works for 15 graduates may not scale to your specific situation.