Computer and Information Sciences at Delaware Technical Community College-Terry

Delaware Tech-Terry's Computer and Information Sciences associate's program starts graduates at just $27,161—far below the $35,760 national median for this degree. While that ranks in only the 10th percentile nationally, there's crucial context: this is actually the median for Delaware IT associate's programs, placing it at the 60th percentile statewide. Translation? This isn't about Delaware Tech underperforming; it's about Delaware's IT associate's market paying significantly less than other states. The silver lining is debt: at $9,768, graduates owe about $5,000 less than the national median, creating a manageable 0.36 debt-to-earnings ratio even with those modest starting salaries.

The strong earnings growth—from $27,161 to $42,094 by year four—suggests this credential does open doors for career advancement. That 55% jump is substantial and brings graduates solidly above the national starting median within a few years. However, the sample size here is quite small (under 30 graduates), so individual outcomes could vary significantly from these figures.

For Delaware families, this program works best as a low-cost entry point into IT if your student plans to stay local and advance through experience. If they're considering out-of-state work or comparing to bachelor's programs, know that Delaware's IT associate's market lags behind national norms—but at least the debt burden reflects that reality.