Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management at Gateway Technical College

Gateway Technical College's IT administration certificate shows concerning underperformance: graduates earn $36,389 in their first year, roughly $6,000 below Wisconsin's median for this credential and nearly $3,000 below even that state benchmark. Within Wisconsin's 17 IT certificate programs, this lands at the 40th percentile—meaning six in ten comparable programs deliver better outcomes. The debt load of $12,971 sits above the state median, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.36 that's manageable but not impressive given the starting salary.

The small sample size here (under 30 graduates) warrants skepticism about whether these numbers reflect the typical experience, but they're consistent with a pattern of underperformance relative to state peers. Nearby Northcentral Technical College, for comparison, posts earnings of $42,271—giving graduates an extra $6,000 annually. For a short-term certificate program, that gap compounds quickly over a career.

If your student is set on Gateway, understand they're likely starting behind peers from other Wisconsin technical colleges in the same field. The debt is recoverable, but the earnings trajectory matters more for a certificate than a four-year degree. Consider whether proximity to Kenosha justifies accepting below-average outcomes, or whether a program like Northcentral's—despite any logistical challenges—better positions your student for IT career growth.