Computer and Information Sciences at Community College of Philadelphia

Community College of Philadelphia's Computer and Information Sciences associate's degree starts rough but transforms dramatically. That $21,223 first-year salary—placing graduates in just the 10th percentile among Pennsylvania tech programs—more than doubles to $43,769 by year four. This 106% earnings growth is impressive, but the painfully low starting point means even after four years, graduates still earn less than the typical first-year salary at many competing programs. Community College of Allegheny County's graduates, for example, start at $39,461.

The debt load of $11,375 is manageable and matches the state median, but combined with that initial earnings struggle, new graduates face real financial pressure in their first years. With over half of students receiving Pell grants, many can't afford to wait out this slow start. The trajectory suggests graduates need time to complete additional certifications, land better positions, or finish a bachelor's degree—but that assumes they can sustain themselves through the lean early period.

This program works for students who have family support to weather low initial earnings or can work their way up within an employer. But if your child needs to be financially independent quickly after graduation, the weak starting salary compared to other Pennsylvania community college tech programs is a significant obstacle, regardless of what happens later.