Analysis
A debt-to-earnings ratio under 0.5 typically signals manageable financial risk, and this program's estimated figures—$38,086 in first-year earnings against $17,750 in debt—fall comfortably within that threshold. Drawing from national data on similar associate-level computer programming programs, these numbers suggest you'd be looking at roughly six months of gross income to cover the full debt load, which is workable for a two-year credential in a technical field with established job markets.
What makes this harder to assess with confidence is that we're working entirely from estimates here—neither the earnings nor debt figures come from actual Clover Park graduates, because the college's sample size was too small for federal reporting. The national median we're using as a proxy ($38,086) represents the middle of the pack among 415 similar programs nationwide, so there's considerable variation above and below that mark. Washington's tech sector could push outcomes higher, or the local job market could skew lower depending on what employers actually need.
For a technical associate's degree, this estimated profile looks reasonable on paper, but you're essentially betting on Clover Park's outcomes matching the national average. If your child has specific connections to local employers or can verify job placement rates directly with the school, that would add crucial information these federal estimates can't provide.
Where Clover Park Technical College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all computer programming associates's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs Nationally
Computer Programming associates's programs at top institutions nationally
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $6,634 | $38,086* | — | $17,750* | — | |
| $4,872 | $63,559* | $56,895 | $12,000* | 0.19 | |
| $5,400 | $55,996* | $67,313 | $12,736* | 0.23 | |
| $6,128 | $55,069* | $65,758 | $22,600* | 0.41 | |
| $4,916 | $54,652* | $61,493 | $13,812* | 0.25 | |
| $7,650 | $53,874* | — | $14,827* | 0.28 | |
| National Median | — | $38,086* | — | $17,108* | 0.45 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with computer programming graduates
Software Developers
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers
Computer Programmers
Web Developers
Web and Digital Interface Designers
Video Game Designers
Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary
Computer Network Support Specialists
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Clover Park Technical College, approximately 18% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the national median of 30 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.