Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management at Highline College

Peer programs in IT administration suggest first-year earnings around $42,000 paired with $12,000 in debt—a manageable 0.28 ratio that makes this certificate worth considering as a quick entry point into tech. Similar programs across 684 schools nationally cluster around these same figures, indicating this is a fairly standard outcome for this credential level. The relatively low debt load is particularly important here: you're looking at roughly three months of gross earnings to cover the entire educational investment, which is about as favorable as undergraduate credentials get.

The real question with any certificate program is whether it provides genuine competitive advantage in the job market or merely checks a box that experience could satisfy. Washington's tech sector offers robust opportunities, but with 24 schools in the state offering similar programs, the certificate alone won't distinguish graduates. What matters more is whether Highline provides hands-on skills training and employer connections that translate to actual job placement—information these estimates can't capture. The low debt ceiling does create a safety net if the credential doesn't immediately unlock better opportunities.

For families treating this as a quick upskilling tool rather than a comprehensive degree, the numbers suggest reasonable risk. But verify what specific roles this certificate targets and whether local employers actually require it. At this price point, it's a calculated bet rather than a guaranteed return.