Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management at Gateway Technical College

Gateway Technical College graduates start earning roughly $3,000 below the Wisconsin median for IT administration programs—placing it in the bottom half of the state's 17 programs offering this credential. While the debt load of $16,157 is manageable and slightly below state averages, the earnings trajectory tells a cautionary tale: graduates see minimal income growth over their first four years, reaching just $40,254 compared to top Wisconsin programs like Madison Area Technical College where grads earn $54,784.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.42 is reasonable, meaning graduates could theoretically pay off loans in about six months of gross income. However, the fundamental challenge is that starting salaries lag considerably behind what nearby programs deliver. Fox Valley Technical College graduates, for instance, begin their careers earning $5,000 more annually—a gap that compounds over time.

For families prioritizing IT education in Wisconsin, Gateway represents an affordable entry point but not a competitive one. The relatively low Pell grant rate suggests this isn't primarily serving low-income students who might have fewer alternatives. Unless location constraints make Gateway the only viable option, families should strongly consider the higher-performing technical colleges in Madison, Waukesha, or Fox Valley, where graduates command significantly better salaries from day one.