Computer and Information Sciences at College of Western Idaho

A computer science associate's degree at this institution would mean roughly $12,500 in debt—a moderate burden for a two-year program. Based on comparable computer science associate's programs nationwide, graduates typically start around $35,700, which translates to a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.35. That's about four months of gross pay, putting this on the more affordable end of technical credentials.

The challenge is that associate's degrees in this field often serve as stepping stones rather than endpoints. Similar programs nationally show wide variation in outcomes—the top quarter of schools produce graduates earning $41,700 or more in their first year, suggesting that program quality, local tech employment, and whether students continue to a bachelor's degree all matter significantly. Idaho has limited options for this credential, which could work in your favor if local employers have established relationships with College of Western Idaho, or against you if those connections are weak.

The debt load is reasonable enough that even if your child starts at the lower end of typical outcomes, they're not trapped. If this degree launches them into an IT support or junior developer role while they decide whether to pursue a four-year degree, it could be solid value. But confirm that the program has strong employer connections in the Boise area—without actual outcomes data for this specific school, the job placement rate and where recent graduates actually land become your most important due diligence.