Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications at Highland Community College

At $14,699 in estimated debt, Highland's networking certificate appears manageable against first-year earnings that national peer programs suggest hover around $36,915. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.40 means graduates would dedicate roughly 40% of their first year's salary to debt repayment—not catastrophic, but substantial enough to constrain early career flexibility. What's concerning is that Kansas networking programs typically carry higher debt loads (median $18,250 statewide) while producing similar or slightly lower earnings, suggesting Highland may offer better-than-average value within the state's networking education landscape.

The challenge with this program is the limited data: we're relying entirely on what similar programs nationally produce, since Highland's graduate cohort is too small for the Department of Education to publish outcomes. The one Kansas program with reported data—Wichita Technical Institute—shows graduates earning $35,340, slightly below what national benchmarks suggest. This raises questions about whether Kansas's IT job market rewards networking credentials as generously as other states.

For parents, the practical reality is this: if your child needs a quick credential to enter IT support or network administration, this certificate could work—but only if local Kansas employment prospects justify the investment. Before committing, investigate whether Kansas City or Wichita employers actively hire certificate holders, or if they increasingly demand bachelor's degrees for networking roles. The estimated numbers suggest viability, but without this school's actual track record, you're making a bet on averages.