Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management at Morrison Institute of Technology

Morrison Institute's IT program lands squarely in the middle of the pack for earnings—40th percentile both nationally and among Illinois programs—but brings one significant advantage: remarkably low debt. At $12,000, graduates carry less than half the state median and nearly $10,000 below the national benchmark. That 0.31 debt-to-earnings ratio means most graduates could feasibly pay off their loans within a year or two of focused repayment.

The caveat here matters: with fewer than 30 graduates in the data, these numbers could shift considerably year to year. A few strong or weak employment outcomes can dramatically skew the averages at this scale. Still, the debt advantage appears consistent with Morrison's focused, practical approach to technical education.

For families prioritizing affordability in IT education, Morrison delivers solid value—you're getting middle-of-the-road earning potential without the debt burden that often accompanies associate's degrees in this field. Compare that to programs where students graduate owing $20,000+ for similar first-year salaries. The tradeoff is clear: you won't match the $46,000+ earnings of top Illinois programs like Southwestern Illinois College, but you'll start your career with minimal financial baggage. For students who need to work immediately and can't afford significant debt, that's a practical choice.