Computer Science at Los Angeles Southwest College

A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.32 suggests manageable borrowing for an associate's degree, though the limited graduate data from this specific program means both figures—$39,118 in first-year earnings and $12,458 in debt—come from national peer institutions rather than Los Angeles Southwest's own outcomes. For a two-year technical degree, these numbers from comparable programs paint a reasonable picture: earning nearly $40,000 straight out of school while carrying about four months of salary in debt is workable math.

California's tech economy offers more pathways than most states, which could work in graduates' favor, but the lack of reported outcomes from any of the 80 California schools offering associate's degrees in computer science makes it harder to gauge how well this credential actually opens doors in the local market. National medians tell us what's typical elsewhere, not necessarily what happens in LA's competitive job market where four-year degrees often dominate hiring. The 25% Pell Grant rate suggests many students here are balancing significant financial constraints, making every dollar of debt matter more.

If your child needs an affordable entry point into tech and plans to work while potentially continuing their education, the estimated numbers aren't alarming. But without actual graduate outcomes to evaluate, you're essentially betting on this program performing like the national average—which may or may not reflect LA's specific hiring landscape and employer expectations.