Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management at Mesa Community College

A $12,000 debt load for a credential that similar programs nationally suggest will produce first-year earnings around $42,000 creates a manageable 0.28 debt-to-earnings ratio—well below the concerning 1.0 threshold. For a short-term certificate program, that's a reasonable financial proposition on paper. But the Arizona context raises important questions. The state median for this credential sits at $50,255, nearly $8,000 higher than what comparable programs nationally achieve. University of Phoenix-Arizona's graduates in this field hit that $50,000 mark, suggesting some Arizona programs are tapping into stronger local tech opportunities than the national average would predict.

The challenge is uncertainty. Both the earnings and debt figures here come from peer programs elsewhere, not Mesa's actual graduates. That means you're betting that Mesa's outcomes will mirror typical results rather than Arizona's higher performers. For a certificate program—which should be quick and relatively low-risk—the estimated numbers don't scream trouble. But if this credential is meant to launch a tech career in the Phoenix metro area, you'll want to investigate whether Mesa's specific program connects students to local employers who pay Arizona wages, not just national baseline salaries. The difference between $42,000 and $50,000 matters significantly over time.