Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management at Massachusetts Bay Community College

The national benchmarks suggest this two-year IT program produces first-year earnings around $41,750—a solid start for an associate degree—though the state picture is more complicated. Massachusetts Bay's program appears in line with national norms, where similar IT administration programs at community colleges typically produce these mid-$40K outcomes. But it's worth noting that Springfield Technical Community College, the only Massachusetts program with reported data, shows considerably lower earnings at $25,478. Whether this reflects regional variation, program differences, or simply small sample fluctuations isn't clear from the available data.

The estimated debt load of $17,500 translates to a 0.42 debt-to-earnings ratio, which falls comfortably within manageable territory—borrowers would owe roughly 42 cents for every dollar earned in year one. That's considerably better than the national median debt of $21,480 for similar programs. For families concerned about keeping costs down while launching a tech career, that's meaningful breathing room.

The uncertainty here matters: with both earnings and debt estimated from peer programs rather than actual Massachusetts Bay outcomes, you're making decisions with incomplete information. If this program performs more like Springfield Tech than the national average, the value proposition shifts considerably. Before committing, push the school for placement rates and typical employer outcomes—the actual track record of their graduates, not statistical proxies.