Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management at IBMC College

A two-year IT credential that leads to estimated first-year earnings around $42,000 while carrying $26,000 in debt—based on patterns from similar programs nationally—deserves careful scrutiny, especially when 81% of students here rely on Pell grants. That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.62 means graduates would owe roughly 7-8 months of their first year's salary, which is manageable in theory but assumes they land a job quickly in their field. The concerning piece is that earnings appear essentially flat between year one and year four, suggesting limited salary growth in the early career phase when paying down debt matters most.

The national debt benchmark for comparable IT programs sits at $21,500, so IBMC students are taking on about $4,300 more than peers elsewhere. That gap matters when you're trying to make loan payments on $42,000 a year. Colorado has only five schools offering this program, limiting direct state comparisons, but the fact that earnings here track so closely with national medians suggests this isn't a particularly high-wage market for associate-level IT positions—despite Colorado's reputation as a tech hub.

For families watching their budgets, this program presents a calculation problem: the debt load is higher than typical for similar programs, and the career trajectory looks flat. If your child already has IT experience or certifications and this degree would fill a specific credential gap, it might make sense. But as a standalone pathway into tech, there may be less expensive routes to similar outcomes.