Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management at North Dakota State College of Science

Computer/Information Technology Administration certificates typically lead to first-year earnings around $42,000 nationally, which aligns with the estimated outcome here. With estimated debt of $12,000, you're looking at a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.28—well below the 1.0 threshold where debt becomes harder to manage. Similar certificate programs across the country suggest this represents a relatively quick credential that can open doors to IT support, network administration, or systems management roles without the time and cost commitment of a four-year degree.

The challenge is that North Dakota only has four schools offering this certificate, and none report actual graduate outcomes, making it difficult to know how local employers value this specific credential versus others. The $42,000 estimate comes from national peer programs, which may or may not reflect North Dakota's smaller tech market. In rural states, IT jobs can be concentrated in specific cities or industries (healthcare systems, energy companies, higher education), so where your child lands their first job matters as much as the credential itself.

If your child already has some IT experience or knows they want to work in tech support without pursuing a bachelor's degree, a certificate with estimated debt under $12,000 offers a manageable entry point. Just understand you're relying on national patterns rather than this school's track record—talk to the program about where recent graduates actually landed jobs and what local employers are hiring for.