Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications at Mid-State Technical College

A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.4 sits right at the threshold where IT certificates typically pay for themselves within a reasonable timeframe—assuming the national benchmarks hold true locally. Both the earnings and debt figures here are drawn from peer programs nationally since Mid-State's graduate cohort was too small for the Department of Education to report. Similar networking certificate programs produce first-year earnings around $37,000, while the estimated $14,700 in debt runs higher than the national median of roughly $11,600 for this credential.

The real question is whether Wisconsin Rapids offers the job market to support these estimates. Networking roles often concentrate in metro areas, and smaller markets may not provide the same entry points or salary levels that drive the national figures. With 11 Wisconsin schools offering this certificate, competition exists even within the state, though none have reported outcomes data either—suggesting universally small cohorts that make outcome tracking difficult across the board.

For parents considering this investment, the uncertainty cuts both ways. The debt load is manageable if job prospects materialize near the $37,000 mark, but there's no confirmation that Mid-State's specific program delivers those outcomes. Before committing, verify where recent graduates actually landed jobs and at what pay—information the school should be able to share even if federal data can't. A certificate only works financially if it opens doors in your local market.