Computer Science at Lakeland Community College

A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.32 suggests relatively manageable student debt—nationally, similar associate programs in computer science typically produce first-year earnings around $39,000 against roughly $12,500 in loans. That means graduates could theoretically pay off their debt in about four months of gross earnings, which compares favorably to many bachelor's degree programs. However, this benchmark comes from a small national sample of just six programs with reported earnings data, so there's considerable uncertainty about whether Lakeland's specific outcomes match this pattern.

The real question is whether an associate degree provides sufficient credentials for Ohio's tech job market. While some IT support and help desk positions are accessible with a two-year degree, many computer science roles increasingly expect bachelor's credentials. Peer programs nationally show a wide range—the 75th percentile earns $48,600, suggesting some associate graduates do secure strong entry-level positions, but without state-level comparisons (only seven Ohio schools offer this program, none with published data), it's hard to gauge local competitiveness.

For parents weighing this investment, the estimated debt load appears modest enough that it won't create financial crisis if earnings fall short of projections. But recognize you're making this decision largely in the dark—treat this as a potentially solid foundation for transfer to a four-year program rather than betting it will launch a full computer science career on its own.