Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications at Ferris State University

At an estimated $20,500 in debt—notably lower than both the national median ($27,000) and Michigan average ($24,146) for this degree—Ferris State appears to keep borrowing manageable for networking students. While both earnings and debt figures here are drawn from comparable programs rather than this specific cohort, the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.34 suggests a potentially workable financial picture. First-year earnings around $60,540 would put graduates roughly on par with the national median for networking bachelor's programs, though slightly above the $57,502 typical for Michigan programs.

The challenge is the limited visibility: when a program's graduating class is too small to report data publicly, it raises questions about scale and employer connections. Davenport University, the only Michigan networking program with reportable outcomes, produces graduates earning $57,502—similar to what peer programs suggest for Ferris State. For a field where hands-on experience and industry partnerships matter tremendously, a small cohort could mean fewer internship pipelines and networking opportunities, or it could mean more personalized attention and tighter connections with local employers.

The debt load makes this less risky than many bachelor's programs, but parents should verify what percentage of graduates actually land networking roles versus general IT positions. At a school with an 81% admission rate serving a substantial first-generation population, the real question is whether this specific program has the industry connections to convert reasonable debt into actual tech careers.