Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management at Mayfield College

At just $29,122 in first-year earnings, this IT certificate ranks in the bottom 10% of similar California programs—troubling in a state where peers typically earn $45,574. Even relative to the lower national benchmark of $42,271, Mayfield graduates are earning 31% less than expected. The modest $9,077 debt load keeps this from being a financial disaster, but earnings that slip to $28,613 by year four suggest graduates struggle to gain traction in California's competitive tech market.

The reality check: comparable programs at MTI College, Southern California Institute of Technology, and others produce graduates earning 50% more with similar debt levels. For a parent considering this investment, the question isn't just about the low debt—it's whether this credential opens doors in the IT field at all. With 84% of students qualifying for Pell grants, Mayfield serves students who need education to pay off reliably, yet these outcomes suggest the certificate may not deliver sufficient skills or industry connections to compete for better-paying positions.

Your child would likely fare better at other California institutions offering the same credential, where stronger earnings trajectories justify the similar time investment and only marginally higher debt. This program's value proposition depends entirely on geographic convenience or specific circumstances that make other options impossible.