Computer and Information Sciences at Glen Oaks Community College

An associate's degree in computer science typically leads to first-year earnings around $35,800, based on national data from similar programs—a solid starting point for an entry-level technical role. With estimated debt of $12,500, graduates would owe about 35 cents for every dollar earned in that first year, which falls comfortably below the concerning threshold of 100% that marks programs where debt overshadows income potential.

The challenge here is that Glen Oaks' specific outcomes remain unknown due to its small graduate cohort. What we're seeing are national averages across 80 similar associate's programs, which means your child's actual results could vary significantly depending on factors like internship quality, specific technical skills acquired, and local employer connections. Michigan's tech job market is concentrated in pockets—southeast Michigan offers far more opportunities than rural areas—so geographic flexibility after graduation matters considerably for this field.

For families comfortable with some uncertainty, the debt load appears manageable even if earnings come in below the estimate. But if you're risk-averse or your child plans to stay local in a rural area with limited tech employment, you'll want to investigate Glen Oaks' job placement support and employer relationships directly, since the general data can't tell you whether this particular program delivers the hands-on skills and connections that make computer science degrees pay off.