Computer Programming at Lamar State College-Port Arthur

Based on comparable computer programming certificate programs, this credential appears to carry higher debt than most—about $19,000 compared to a national median of $14,000—for earnings that land right at the national average of $43,700. That 0.44 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates would be shouldering debt equal to nearly half their first-year salary, which is manageable but not ideal for a certificate program meant to provide quick workforce entry.

The silver lining is that these estimated earnings align closely with what Dallas College graduates actually report, suggesting the projections aren't unrealistic for the Texas market. However, similar programs across the state typically produce starting salaries ranging from the mid-$30,000s to low-$40,000s, and it's unclear where Lamar State College-Port Arthur's graduates would land within that spectrum. The extra $5,000 in debt compared to the national typical amount means students here would need several more months of earnings just to break even with peers elsewhere.

For parents weighing this option, the key question is whether a certificate costing nearly $20,000 makes sense when community colleges with actual reported outcomes—like Dallas College—appear to produce similar results. Without seeing this program's real graduate data, you're essentially betting that its outcomes match the national average rather than trailing it. If your student can access a comparable program with lower borrowing, that's worth pursuing.