Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications at Intellitec College-Grand Junction

Earning $27,510 right after completing this networking certificate puts graduates nearly $10,000 below the national median for this credential—and that's in a field where technical skills typically command decent starting pay. While this program sits near the middle of Colorado's rankings (40th percentile statewide), that comparison is misleading: the state's top networking program at Front Range Community College produces graduates earning nearly double this amount. Even Intellitec's own Colorado Springs campus reports higher earnings for the same certificate.

The debt load of $11,250 translates to a 0.41 ratio against first-year earnings, which means graduates are borrowing roughly five months of income. That's manageable mathematically, but less so when you're living on under $28,000 annually. For a certificate program serving predominantly Pell-eligible students (64%), these modest earnings create a tight financial squeeze right when graduates need momentum.

The very small sample size here—under 30 graduates—means these numbers could shift significantly with more data. That uncertainty is itself concerning: it suggests either limited enrollment or tracking issues, neither of which inspires confidence. If your child is considering IT training in the Grand Junction area, the earnings gap compared to other Colorado programs suggests either looking elsewhere or having a clear plan for how this specific certificate advances toward better-paying opportunities.