Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management at Charter College

Charter College's IT certificate starts strong with first-year earnings of $46,466—beating the national median by $4,000 and landing in the 67th percentile nationally. For a program serving a majority low-income student body in Alaska's limited higher education market, that's a solid initial return. The debt load of $14,821 is reasonable, translating to a 0.32 debt-to-earnings ratio that's manageable for most graduates.

The concern here is the earnings trajectory: graduates see incomes drop 15% to $39,513 by year four. This backward slide could reflect Alaska's boom-and-bust economy, where entry-level tech jobs offer competitive wages but advancement stalls, or it might indicate graduates are using this certificate as a stepping stone rather than a terminal credential. With only four schools offering this program statewide and fewer than 30 graduates in this cohort, these numbers are volatile and may not represent the typical experience.

For parents, this certificate works best as a quick entry point into Alaska's job market—you're looking at immediate employment at above-average wages with modest debt. But don't expect traditional career progression. If your student plans to stay in Alaska long-term, they'll likely need additional credentials to maintain earning power. The small program size means one or two outlier outcomes heavily skew the data, so connect with actual alumni before committing.