Computer and Information Sciences at Front Range Community College

Front Range's computer science certificate produces first-year earnings of $45,174—substantially higher than the national median of $38,858 for similar programs. However, here's the complication: among Colorado's nine community colleges and universities offering this credential, these graduates rank in just the 25th percentile. Colorado State University Global's program, for instance, leads to median earnings of $61,737, highlighting a significant $16,500 gap.

The debt picture looks favorable at first glance—$18,799 is well below Colorado's state median of $22,962 and translates to a reasonable 0.42 debt-to-earnings ratio. But the earnings trajectory raises questions: graduates actually see their income decline 4% between year one and year four, dropping to $43,472. For a technology-focused certificate, you'd expect wage growth, not stagnation.

The small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these numbers could shift dramatically year to year, making this more of a directional signal than a definitive picture. For a Colorado family, the key question is whether this certificate serves as a quick entry point to tech work or if pursuing a program at one of the state's higher-performing institutions—even with potentially higher debt—would deliver better long-term returns. Given the earnings decline and middle-of-the-pack performance within Colorado, this looks more like a stopgap credential than a strong investment unless your child has a specific short-term employment goal in mind.