Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications at Clark College

A certificate in networking that costs an estimated $14,699 and leads to first-year earnings around $37,000 isn't a terrible proposition on paper—the 0.40 debt-to-earnings ratio is manageable by most standards. But here's what matters: these figures come from national peer programs, not Clark College's actual outcomes, and that uncertainty cuts both ways in a field where skills and vendor certifications often matter more than the credential itself.

Networking and telecommunications jobs in the Seattle-Vancouver metro area can pay well once you're established, but entry-level IT support roles—where many certificate holders start—often hover in this $35-40K range regardless of training path. The estimated debt here is higher than the national median of $11,588 for similar programs, which raises a practical question: could your child gain comparable skills through a shorter, cheaper route or by pursuing individual certifications (Cisco, CompTIA) that employers specifically recognize?

The program's value hinges entirely on what Clark College actually delivers—hands-on lab experience, vendor certification prep, employer connections in Southwest Washington. Without reported outcomes, you're betting that this particular program performs at least as well as the national average. If your child already has some tech aptitude and the program includes industry certifications within that cost, it could work. If not, cheaper pathways to those same credentials might make more sense.