Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications at Everett Community College

Based on similar networking programs nationally, this associate's degree would leave graduates with roughly $16,000 in debt and first-year earnings around $43,000—a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.37. What's particularly encouraging is that the estimated debt figure sits well below both the national median ($21,874) and appears more aligned with Washington's lower state average of $10,759, suggesting Everett may offer better-than-typical affordability for this credential.

The estimated earnings align closely with both state and national benchmarks, which tells you something useful: networking associate's degrees tend to produce fairly consistent early outcomes regardless of where you earn them. In Washington, that translates to starting salaries in the low-to-mid $40,000s—solid entry-level tech pay, though not spectacular. The real question is whether this two-year investment sets up the career trajectory your family hopes for, since networking roles increasingly compete with boot camps and certifications that cost less.

For a community college program with these estimated figures, you're looking at reasonable financial risk. The debt appears containable on those first-year wages, and the credential provides a structured path into IT infrastructure roles. Just recognize that without actual graduate outcomes from Everett itself, you're making this decision based on how peer programs typically perform—which suggests this could be a sensible choice, but warrants direct conversations with the school about job placement rates and employer connections in the Seattle metro area.