Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management at Columbia Southern University

Columbia Southern University's IT management program sits in the middle of Alabama's small but competitive field—60th percentile among the state's six programs—with first-year earnings of $61,894 that edge above both the state median ($59,562) and national average ($58,056). The debt picture offers a pleasant surprise: at $34,056, graduates carry about $4,000 less than Alabama's typical IT management graduate and land in the favorable 34th percentile nationally. That 0.55 debt-to-earnings ratio translates to roughly seven months of gross salary, a manageable starting point for tech careers.

The real caveat here is the small sample size—fewer than 30 graduates means one unusually successful or struggling grad can skew these numbers significantly. Still, the fundamentals look reasonable: graduates earn above-average salaries while avoiding the debt trap that affects many Alabama tech programs. Compare this to Herzing-Birmingham, where similar graduates earn about $4,600 less annually.

For families considering this online program (Columbia Southern is primarily distance-learning), the numbers suggest decent value if your child is self-directed enough for that format. The modest debt load gives graduates breathing room to establish themselves in IT roles without crushing loan payments. Just understand you're looking at a small data snapshot, not a decade-long track record.