Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications at Intellitec College-Colorado Springs

Intellitec College-Colorado Springs' networking program starts graduates at just $26,192—nearly $13,000 below Colorado's median for this degree and in the bottom 10% statewide. That's a significant gap in a state where competing programs like Front Range Community College launch graduates at $52,244. While earnings do climb 42% to $37,305 by year four, that's still well below what most Colorado networking graduates earn right out of the gate.

The $21,104 debt load seems manageable on paper, but paired with those first-year earnings, new graduates face nearly 81 cents of debt for every dollar earned—a tight squeeze for someone likely earning around $2,000 monthly before taxes. The earnings eventually improve enough to make the debt serviceable, but those early years could be financially stressful, especially since over half of students here receive Pell grants and may have fewer family resources to fall back on.

The small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these numbers could shift with more data, but the pattern is concerning enough to warrant serious consideration of alternatives. If your child is set on staying in Colorado Springs, understanding why this program's outcomes lag so far behind other Colorado options—and whether factors like job placement support or curriculum explain the gap—is essential before committing.