Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications at Lorain County Community College

Based on comparable networking programs in Ohio, this associate degree appears positioned right at the state median for first-year earnings at $44,735, which also happens to place it at the 75th percentile nationally—suggesting Ohio's IT market may offer stronger entry points than many other states. The estimated debt of around $16,000 is notably lower than both the state median ($30,649) and national median ($21,874) for this field, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.35 that looks manageable for most graduates.

What makes this estimate encouraging is the consistency across Ohio's community colleges: programs at Sinclair and other similar institutions cluster tightly in the $44,000-$46,000 range for first-year earnings, suggesting these figures reflect genuine market demand for networking technicians in the state. The debt difference matters more—community colleges in Ohio vary widely on student borrowing, and Lorain County's estimated figure puts it on the lower end. For a parent, that gap between $16,000 and $30,000 in debt represents real breathing room when your child starts repaying loans on a $45,000 salary.

The straightforward math here—debt representing roughly four months of gross pay—suggests this program could work financially if networking aligns with your child's skills. However, these are estimates drawn from peer programs, not tracked outcomes from Lorain County itself, so verify current placement rates and employer connections directly with the school before committing.