Computer and Information Sciences at Elizabethtown Community and Technical College

Based on comparable programs across Kentucky, this certificate appears to deliver middle-of-the-road outcomes in a state where computer credentials vary dramatically in value. Similar programs in Kentucky suggest first-year earnings around $36,300, but that state median masks a wide spread—Gateway Community and Technical College's graduates earn $45,400 while others cluster in the mid-to-high $30,000s. Without program-specific data, it's unclear whether Elizabethtown tracks closer to the stronger performers or falls below the state average.

The debt picture looks reasonable at $14,068, which sits below the national median but slightly above what other Kentucky schools typically report. A 0.39 debt-to-earnings ratio means manageable monthly payments if the earnings estimate holds true. The real question is whether this particular program delivers the technical skills that lead to higher-paying outcomes—networking certifications, database administration, cybersecurity foundations—or focuses on more general computer literacy that employers value less.

For parents, the challenge is that you're investing based on statewide patterns rather than Elizabethtown's actual track record. If your student needs to stay local and the program offers industry-recognized credentials alongside the certificate, the debt load won't be crushing. But if Gateway or Jefferson are geographically feasible, their documented outcomes suggest they're extracting significantly more value from similar coursework. Ask specifically what certifications students earn and where recent graduates have landed jobs.