Computer and Information Sciences at Community College of Allegheny County

Community College of Allegheny County's computer science associate degree punches well above its weight—graduates earn $43,758 four years out, landing in the 80th percentile among Pennsylvania programs and significantly outpacing the state median of $30,342. With median debt of just $14,261, the 0.36 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates typically carry less than five months of their starting salary in loans, a manageable burden that allows them to actually benefit from their tech credentials.

The 11% earnings growth from year one to year four suggests graduates are gaining traction in the job market rather than plateauing, and Pittsburgh's tech scene (with Google, Uber ATG, and healthcare IT employers) provides solid opportunities for associate degree holders who can code. However, the small sample size here matters—these figures represent fewer than 30 graduates, so individual outcomes could swing these averages considerably.

For families seeking an affordable entry into tech work, this program delivers strong returns relative to other Pennsylvania options and keeps debt low enough that graduates maintain financial flexibility. Just understand you're looking at limited data that may not fully represent future student experiences.