Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management at Kirkwood Community College

Kirkwood's IT administration program starts graduates near the national average but lags behind other Iowa options—landing in just the 25th percentile statewide with first-year earnings of $41,575 compared to Iowa's median of $53,834. Des Moines Area Community College's comparable program launches graduates at $66,093, nearly $25,000 more annually. That's a significant gap when you're choosing between community colleges in the same state system.

The positive story here is growth trajectory: earnings jump 28% to $53,368 by year four, closing much of that initial gap with state peers. The debt load of $17,500 is reasonable—below both state and national medians—creating a manageable 0.42 debt-to-earnings ratio. Graduates can realistically pay this off while building experience that clearly translates into higher wages.

For families prioritizing immediate earnings and willing to consider different Iowa schools, this program's initial underperformance matters. But if Kirkwood offers geographic convenience or you're confident in your child's ability to advance quickly in IT roles, the combination of low debt and strong earnings growth creates a viable path. Just know that other Iowa community colleges are placing graduates into higher-paying positions from day one.