Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management at Foothill College

The $17,500 in estimated debt here is notably lower than the national median of $21,480 for associate programs in IT administration, though comparable California programs typically see first-year earnings around $40,000—which sits below the national median of $41,752. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.44, graduates would need roughly half a year's salary to cover their student loans, a manageable burden that reflects community college's value proposition of affordable technical training.

What's less certain is whether Foothill's specific program delivers competitive outcomes within California's tech ecosystem. The estimated earnings figure comes from just three similar programs statewide, making it difficult to assess how well this particular school prepares students for Bay Area tech roles versus programs elsewhere in the state. California's IT job market varies dramatically by region, and Los Altos Hills sits in one of the nation's most expensive areas with correspondingly higher wages—yet these estimates don't capture that local premium.

For families considering this program, the relatively modest debt load makes it a lower-risk option than many four-year tech degrees. However, without actual graduate outcomes from Foothill, you're essentially betting that their program performs at least as well as the typical California associate program in this field. If your child can secure internships or connections within Silicon Valley during their studies, the location advantage could push outcomes well above these state-level estimates.