Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management at Hagerstown Community College

The headline here isn't the middling earnings—it's the remarkably low debt. While Hagerstown Community College's IT administration program produces graduates earning slightly below Maryland's median ($40,955 versus $42,771), they're carrying just $12,000 in debt compared to the state median of $20,092. That 0.29 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates need less than four months of their annual salary to cover their total educational debt, which is exceptional for any program. The low debt figure also ranks this program in the 95th percentile nationally—meaning 95% of comparable programs saddle students with more debt.

The caveat: these numbers come from a small graduating class, so individual circumstances heavily influence the averages. The first-year earnings also trail stronger Maryland alternatives like Strayer ($61,810) and Prince George's Community College ($44,587) by significant margins. For students prioritizing minimal debt over maximum starting salary, this tradeoff might work, especially since IT salaries typically grow with experience and certifications.

For a student planning to stay local in the Hagerstown area where living costs are lower than Baltimore or DC, this program could make sense—you're trading some initial earning power for financial flexibility. But if your child has access to the stronger Maryland programs with better placement outcomes, the extra $8,000-$10,000 in debt might be worth the higher earnings trajectory, particularly in a field where that first job often determines future opportunities.