Computer and Information Sciences at John C Calhoun State Community College

This associate's degree in computer science produces first-year earnings of $36,258—right at Alabama's median for the field and slightly above the national benchmark of $35,760. With estimated debt around $12,500 based on typical borrowing at similar community colleges, the 0.34 debt-to-earnings ratio suggests graduates could realistically pay off loans within a year or two of focused repayment, assuming they land in their field immediately.

The 19% earnings bump by year four (reaching $43,214) shows steady if unspectacular growth, which is fairly typical for technical associate's degrees where the first job matters more than tenure. What's harder to gauge is how many graduates actually secure IT positions versus retail or service work—Alabama's tech sector is concentrated in Huntsville and Birmingham, so location flexibility may determine outcomes more than the credential itself.

For families watching their budget, the debt load here beats the national average for computer science associate's degrees by about $2,400. That's meaningful savings for what appears to be a middle-of-the-pack program. The real question is whether your student has the drive to pursue certifications alongside this degree (most IT hiring now expects CompTIA, Cisco, or similar credentials) and whether they're willing to relocate if local opportunities don't materialize. The numbers work if the graduate treats this as a launching pad, not a finish line.