Computer and Information Sciences at Hopkinsville Community College

Computer and information sciences programs at Kentucky's community colleges typically produce first-year earnings around $38,000, which is where comparable programs suggest Hopkinsville graduates land. The estimated debt load of $15,300 creates a manageable 0.40 debt-to-earnings ratio—meaning roughly five months of gross pay to cover the entire credential cost. That's reasonable leverage for an associate's degree, particularly at a school where 43% of students qualify for Pell grants.

The concerning detail here is the four-year earnings figure of $32,034, which sits well below the first-year estimate. While this could reflect data quirks from small sample sizes, it raises questions about whether graduates are finding sustainable tech sector positions or shifting to lower-paying work. Other Kentucky community colleges with reported data—like Gateway at nearly $50,000 or West Kentucky at $41,000—show what's possible for associate-level IT graduates in the state, suggesting career trajectory matters considerably.

For families weighing this investment, the debt level itself shouldn't be a dealbreaker, but the uncertainty around earnings progression should prompt hard questions about job placement support and whether graduates are landing roles that actually use their technical training. Request specific placement data from the school rather than relying on these peer-derived estimates.