Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications at Community College of Aurora

A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.37 suggests manageable borrowing, but the numbers here require careful context. Peer programs nationally indicate first-year earnings around $43,000 with typical debt near $16,000—figures that, if accurate for Community College of Aurora, would represent a reasonable starting point for IT careers. However, comparable programs in Colorado show significant variation, from over $52,000 at Front Range Community College to barely half that at other institutions, highlighting how much your outcome depends on choosing the right program.

The challenge is that this program's actual outcomes remain unknown due to insufficient graduate data, leaving you to judge based on what similar programs produce elsewhere. Colorado's median for networking programs sits at $39,000, suggesting the national benchmark may be optimistic for this state. Meanwhile, the estimated $16,000 debt sits below both state and national medians for this credential, which could indicate either efficient program completion or perhaps differences in student borrowing patterns that won't necessarily apply to your situation.

Given the lack of actual outcomes data, you're essentially betting that Community College of Aurora performs at least as well as the national average for networking programs. That's not an unreasonable assumption for a basic IT credential, but you'd want confirmation—through alumni LinkedIn profiles, job placement assistance, or direct conversations with recent graduates—that this program actually delivers employable skills and employer connections. Without that verification, you're making a significant financial decision on projected rather than proven results.