Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management at Dakota State University

Dakota State's undergraduate certificate in IT administration carries an estimated $12,000 in debt—a manageable figure for any credential, but especially for one tied to tech employment. Nationally, similar programs produce median first-year earnings around $42,300, suggesting a debt burden of just 28 cents per dollar earned. That's a financial profile that works even if earnings growth stays modest.

The challenge is that this is a certificate, not a bachelor's degree, and the IT field increasingly favors four-year credentials for advancement beyond help desk and entry-level support roles. While comparable programs nationwide suggest solid starting pay, certificates typically hit earnings ceilings faster than degrees. Dakota State specializes in technology education, which may provide networking advantages and employer recognition in the region, but you're still investing in a credential with limited upward mobility compared to a bachelor's in the same field.

If your child needs to enter the workforce quickly or is adding technical skills to an existing degree, the low debt load makes this defensible. But if they're choosing between this certificate and a four-year program without financial constraints forcing the decision, the bachelor's degree almost certainly offers better long-term value. The numbers work here, but only if there's a clear reason not to pursue the fuller credential.