Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications at Labette Community College

Drawing on national benchmarks from similar networking programs, Labette's estimated debt load of $15,832 looks considerably more manageable than the $21,874 typical nationally—and well below the $25,208 median for Kansas programs. This lower estimated debt paired with potential first-year earnings around $43,000 creates a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.37, suggesting graduates could theoretically pay off their loans in under half a year's salary.

However, the Kansas context raises questions worth investigating. When Wichita Technical Institute reports actual earnings of $29,650 for similar programs, it suggests the national $43,000 benchmark may not reflect Kansas's local IT market realities. If Labette's outcomes follow Kansas norms rather than national patterns, that would mean lower earnings against that debt—though still a workable ratio under 0.9. The program's limited enrollment (leading to suppressed data) might also mean fewer local employer connections than larger programs offer.

The math still pencils out favorably even in a worst-case scenario following Kansas figures, but your child should investigate where Labette's graduates actually land jobs—whether they're staying in rural southeast Kansas where tech opportunities are scarce, or whether the program successfully pipelines students to Wichita or Kansas City metro areas. The debt looks reasonable; confirming the employment outcomes matters more here.