Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications at Ensign College

Borrowing $26,675 to earn around $43,000 in your first year puts you in manageable territory—that 0.62 debt-to-earnings ratio means you'd owe roughly 7.5 months of gross income, which falls within the range of what's typically considered sustainable for technical credentials. Since both figures come from national peer programs rather than Ensign's own graduates, you're essentially betting that this program performs similarly to the national median for associate-level networking programs. That's not an unreasonable assumption for a technical field with fairly standardized certifications and skills, though it does mean you're operating without direct evidence of Ensign's specific placement success or industry connections in the Salt Lake City tech market.

The bigger question is whether an associate degree positions you competitively in a region with a growing tech sector. Salt Lake City has attracted significant tech investment, and entry-level IT roles often require certifications and demonstrated skills more than degrees. The estimated first-year earnings align with typical help desk and junior network administrator roles, but career growth will likely depend more on certification pathways (Cisco, CompTIA) and work experience than the credential itself. With only 11% of students receiving Pell grants, Ensign serves a different demographic than most community colleges, which might affect both peer support and financial aid packaging.

If your child can secure this credential without exceeding the estimated debt load and plans to pursue industry certifications alongside the degree, the math works. Just recognize you're making this decision with peer program data rather than proven outcomes from Ensign itself.