Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications at Finger Lakes Community College

Peer programs nationally suggest first-year earnings around $43,000 for this associate's degree, with debt typically under $16,000—numbers that put this program squarely in community college territory where the math can work. That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.37 is manageable if graduates secure entry-level IT positions quickly, though it's worth noting that New York's networking programs show a wide debt range, with the state median at nearly $33,000.

The challenge here is that we're working entirely with estimates derived from similar programs elsewhere, not actual outcomes from Finger Lakes graduates. The national earnings benchmark sits at the lower end of what New York networking programs typically produce ($45,000 at DeVry), which raises questions about whether graduates land the stronger-paying positions available in upstate markets or get stuck in help desk roles that pay considerably less. In a field where certifications and hands-on experience often matter more than the degree itself, the program's actual job placement success would tell you far more than these peer-based projections.

If your child is set on IT networking, verify what certifications this program includes (CompTIA, Cisco) and whether local employers actually recruit from Finger Lakes. Without that connection to regional tech employers, even modest debt becomes harder to justify when self-study certification paths exist as alternatives.