Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications at Lincoln Technical Institute-Iselin

Lincoln Tech-Iselin's networking certificate produces graduates earning exactly at the national median, but the real story is what happens next. Starting at $36,915 and climbing 11% to nearly $41,000 by year four, these graduates are building sustainable tech careers while carrying just $11,588 in debt—about three months' salary. The 0.31 debt-to-earnings ratio makes this one of the more manageable vocational investments in the field.

Within New Jersey, this program punches above its weight at the 60th percentile despite matching the state median salary exactly—a reflection of how concentrated the state's networking programs are around similar outcomes. With 62% of students receiving Pell grants, Lincoln Tech is serving a population that needs workforce training to pay off quickly, and the debt load here won't derail that goal. The steady earnings growth suggests employers value the skills graduates are developing, even if the starting salary isn't eye-catching.

For parents, the calculus is straightforward: this is a low-risk entry point into IT work. Your child won't emerge with crushing debt, and they'll have room to grow beyond that initial $37,000. It's not the pathway to Silicon Valley salaries, but it's honest work with manageable costs—exactly what a certificate program should deliver.