Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications at Miami Dade College

Drawing on comparable Florida networking programs, this associate's degree carries an estimated $15,832 in debt—significantly lower than the $28,372 state median and $21,874 national median for this field. That's a genuine advantage for families concerned about borrowing. First-year earnings in similar Florida programs cluster around $37,680, which trails the national benchmark of $43,276 but reflects Miami's IT market realities. The 0.42 debt-to-earnings ratio suggests graduates could reasonably manage repayment on less than half their first-year income.

The uncertainty here matters: with nearly half of Miami Dade students receiving Pell grants, many families need firm numbers to plan financially, not estimates drawn from peer institutions. What we can say is that Florida's top-performing networking programs show a $15,000 spread between highest and lowest earners, so outcomes vary considerably even within the state. Miami Dade's lower estimated debt load creates a cushion if earnings land toward the lower end of that range, but families should recognize they're making decisions with incomplete information about this specific program's track record. The conservative debt level is encouraging, though actual graduate outcomes would clarify whether this represents solid preparation for Miami's tech sector or just affordable training with uncertain returns.