Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management at Laurus College

A bachelor's in IT administration from Laurus College carries an estimated debt load of $46,262—substantially higher than both the state median of $30,077 and the national median of $27,000 for this program. With first-year earnings based on peer programs hovering around $58,000, that 0.80 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates would be starting with debt equal to roughly 80% of their first year's salary. For a program serving a predominantly low-income student body (67% receive Pell grants), that gap between what Laurus students are estimated to borrow and what similar programs typically cost should prompt serious questions about affordability.

The earnings picture looks more standard—similar IT administration programs in California report graduates earning between $56,000 and $60,000 in their first year, suggesting the degree itself opens doors to decent entry-level positions. The challenge here isn't whether the credential has value in the job market, but whether this particular route to that credential saddles students with $15,000+ more debt than comparable programs without delivering meaningfully better outcomes.

Given the limited graduate sample at Laurus (hence the estimation), prospective families should compare concrete costs against California's other 10 IT administration programs, many of which report lower debt loads for similar starting salaries. The financial math matters here: every $10,000 in additional debt requires years of extra payments that could otherwise go toward building wealth.