Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management at Lakeland Community College

Based on comparable IT administration programs across Ohio, this two-year degree appears to deliver solid early returns relative to its estimated debt load. The projected $41,832 first-year salary aligns exactly with the state median for these programs, while the estimated $17,500 debt sits well below both the Ohio median ($23,137) and national average ($21,480). That 0.42 debt-to-earnings ratio suggests manageable repayment—roughly equivalent to borrowing half a year's salary to launch an IT career.

The challenge here is uncertainty. With earnings and debt both estimated from peer programs rather than Lakeland's actual graduate outcomes, you're essentially betting this school performs like the average Ohio IT administration program. The good news: similar programs in the state cluster tightly around $42,000, with only Bryant & Stratton's Parma campus showing notably weaker outcomes at $31,581. This consistency across Ohio institutions suggests less variation risk than you might find in other fields.

For families weighing this investment, the fundamentals look reasonable—IT skills remain in demand, and community college pricing typically keeps debt manageable. But recognize you're making this decision without knowing how Lakeland's specific graduates actually fare in the job market. If your student has admission offers from Cincinnati State or Central Ohio Technical College, both with reported outcomes near $42,000, those programs offer more certainty for essentially the same projected return.