Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management at Mt Hood Community College

Oregon's IT administration programs sit in a tricky position—community college tech credentials need to compete directly with four-year degrees, boot camps, and self-taught paths into the industry. Based on comparable programs nationwide, Mt Hood's associate degree appears to deliver earnings around $41,800 in the first year with an estimated $17,500 in debt. That's a manageable 0.42 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates would owe less than half their first-year salary—considerably better than the national median debt of $21,500 for similar programs.

The challenge isn't the debt load; it's whether this credential opens doors in Oregon's tech sector. Portland's tech employers increasingly hire from coding boot camps and four-year CS programs, and an associate degree in IT administration positions graduates more for support roles than development work. First-year earnings in the low $40,000s reflect this reality. Similar programs nationally show this isn't necessarily a ceiling—with experience and certifications, IT administrators can advance—but parents should understand this is an entry-level path into the back-office side of tech, not software engineering.

The modest debt makes this less risky than many alternatives, particularly if your student needs flexibility or isn't ready for a four-year commitment. But before enrolling, research which specific roles Mt Hood's graduates actually land and whether those align with your student's goals. An associate degree is only valuable if it's what local employers actually hire for.