Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management at Gwinnett Technical College

Gwinnett Technical College's IT certificate produces graduates earning nearly $53,000 four years out—solid money for a credential you can complete quickly. But here's the catch: with median debt at $22,750, you're borrowing almost twice the national average for this program ($12,000), and that places you in a tougher spot than 95% of similar programs nationwide on debt burden. The 20% earnings bump from year one to year four shows genuine growth potential, though you'll still trail the Georgia median for this field by about $6,000.

The small sample size (under 30 graduates) makes these numbers less reliable than larger programs, so your child's outcome could vary significantly. What's clearer is the debt picture: Georgia's other IT certificate programs typically carry similar debt loads (state median: $25,334), but many deliver stronger earnings. Augusta University's program, for instance, hits $48,303 in starting salary while likely carrying comparable costs.

For families considering this path: the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.52 is manageable but not exceptional. If your child can minimize borrowing through Pell grants (39% of students receive them) or part-time work, this becomes more attractive. Otherwise, compare closely with other Georgia technical colleges that might offer similar training with better placement outcomes or lower costs.