Computer Programming at Montgomery College

A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.30 suggests manageable financial risk for this certificate program, assuming the national benchmarks hold true locally. Based on comparable programming certificates nationwide, first-year earnings around $44,000 paired with roughly $13,000 in debt means graduates could theoretically pay off loans within months if they prioritize repayment—a reasonable proposition for a credential that takes less time than a bachelor's degree.

The challenge is that without actual outcome data from Montgomery College or its Maryland peers, you're essentially betting that this program performs like the national median. Computer programming certificates vary wildly in quality and employer recognition, and the suppressed data means this school's graduates may be earning more, less, or finding different career paths entirely. Maryland's proximity to the Washington, D.C. tech market could work in graduates' favor, but shorter credentials often serve best as skill upgrades for workers already in the field rather than entry points for complete beginners.

The math works if the estimates hold and your child has clear career goals for the certificate. But recognize you're making this decision with limited visibility into how Montgomery College graduates specifically fare in the job market.