Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications at Mid-State Technical College

Based on comparable networking programs across Wisconsin, this associate's degree carries an estimated debt load of about $14,700—roughly $8,000 less than the state median for similar programs. That lighter debt burden matters considerably when paired with estimated first-year earnings around $44,000, producing a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.33 that should allow graduates to manage loan payments without severe financial strain.

The challenge lies in the wide performance gap among Wisconsin's technical colleges in this field. The top programs place graduates in positions earning $65,000 or more right out of school, while Mid-State's peer programs cluster closer to the state median of $44,000. That $20,000 difference in starting salary compounds significantly over a career. Without actual outcome data from Mid-State itself, parents can't know whether this program connects students to the higher-paying network administration roles or the more saturated help desk positions that dominate the lower end of the range.

The reasonable debt estimate provides some cushion for uncertainty, but the wide variation in Wisconsin outcomes suggests that program quality and employer connections matter enormously in this field. Before committing, get specifics from Mid-State about job placement rates, which employers hire their graduates, and whether those positions align with the higher-earning outcomes seen at Madison Area Technical College or the more modest results typical of peer programs.