Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management at Miami Dade College

Miami Dade College's IT certificate shows solid earnings progression but trails what you'd expect from a tech credential in South Florida's growing market. At $39,418 in year one, graduates earn slightly below both state and national medians for this program—landing exactly at the 40th percentile in both comparisons. That's middle-of-the-pack performance in a state with 59 competing programs, including nearby St. Petersburg College where graduates start at $41,114.

The program does improve its value proposition over time. Four-year earnings jump 33% to $52,240, suggesting graduates gain traction in the job market. The debt load of $11,250 is manageable—yielding a 0.29 debt-to-earnings ratio that means graduates owe less than three months of their starting salary. For a certificate program serving a population where 45% receive Pell grants, this accessibility matters.

However, treat these numbers cautiously: the sample size is under 30 graduates, so individual circumstances heavily influence the averages. The real question is whether this certificate provides enough differentiation in Miami's competitive IT market to justify even a year of foregone earnings. If your child has other pathways to tech credentials—whether through boot camps, community college associate degrees with better outcomes, or direct entry into help desk roles—compare carefully. This works as an affordable entry point, but it's not an exceptional one.