Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management at Columbia Basin College

The estimated debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.42 tells an encouraging story for this IT administration program—borrowing just under half your first-year salary is manageable territory in most cases. Based on similar associate's programs at Washington community colleges, students here might face around $17,500 in debt while earning roughly $42,000 in their first year out. That positions them to repay loans relatively quickly compared to more debt-heavy programs, even if the salary itself won't turn heads.

The bigger question is whether Columbia Basin College's outcomes will match what peer programs deliver. Washington's IT programs at this level cluster tightly around $40,000-$42,000 in first-year earnings, with schools like Clover Park Technical and Spokane Falls showing actual outcomes right in that range. The estimated debt figure also aligns with what other Washington community colleges report, suggesting these projections aren't wildly optimistic. Still, Columbia Basin's small cohort size means we can't verify whether their graduates actually achieve these numbers.

For families weighing this investment, the math looks reasonable if the estimates hold—but they're betting on Columbia Basin College delivering results comparable to other Washington programs. The relatively low debt load provides a safety net even if earnings come in below projections, making this a lower-risk entry point into IT careers than many four-year alternatives.