Information Science/Studies at Cleveland Community College

An estimated $13,125 in debt against first-year earnings near $39,000 creates a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.34—well within what financial aid advisors typically recommend. For an associate degree in information science, these figures derived from peer programs nationwide suggest a relatively quick path to decent-paying work without the debt load that comes with a four-year degree. With nearly half of Cleveland Community College students receiving Pell grants, the school clearly serves families where affordability matters most.

The challenge here is uncertainty. When the Department of Education suppresses outcome data due to small graduate samples, we're left estimating based on what's happening at similar programs elsewhere. Information science roles vary enormously—from help desk positions starting in the low $30s to network administration jobs paying $50,000+—and without actual graduate outcomes from Cleveland Community College, it's impossible to know where their program typically lands students. The national median suggests middle-of-the-road results, but regional job markets and curriculum quality create wide variation.

This comes down to your child's specific goals and alternatives. If they're eyeing IT certifications or a bachelor's degree eventually, this could be a cost-effective starting point. But given the data gaps, have concrete conversations with the program about job placement rates, employer partnerships, and whether graduates typically work locally or need to relocate for opportunities.