Computer and Information Sciences at Lansing Community College

A two-year IT degree estimated at $12,500 in debt looks manageable on paper—that's roughly a third of typical first-year earnings—but the lack of reported outcomes from this specific program means you're making decisions with limited visibility. Similar associate's programs nationally suggest graduates earn around $36,000 in their first year, which is a working wage but not necessarily a transformative one. Michigan has fourteen schools offering comparable programs, yet none report actual graduate outcomes, making it difficult to assess whether this local credential carries weight with employers or if students are better served by alternative pathways into tech.

The practical challenge is opportunity cost. Two years and $12,500 could also fund coding bootcamps, certifications, or other credentials that might lead to faster employment in a field where portfolios and skills often matter more than degrees. With 28% of Lansing CC students receiving Pell grants, many families can't afford to guess. The debt load won't crush anyone, but without concrete data showing this program actually delivers jobs, you're relying on national averages rather than evidence of what happens to graduates from this campus.

If your child is drawn to IT, push the college for job placement rates and employer relationships specific to this program—admissions offices often have information they don't publish. The estimated numbers suggest modest risk, but you need confirmation that completing this degree leads somewhere tangible.