Computer Programming at North Idaho College

A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.30 suggests manageable financing for this certificate, but the underlying figures come from national peer programs rather than North Idaho College's actual graduate outcomes. With only one school in Idaho offering this credential level, we can't draw state-specific comparisons—meaning the $43,727 earnings estimate and $13,274 debt projection reflect what similar programming certificates produce nationally, not what this particular program delivers.

The estimated $43,727 first-year salary sits at the national median but well below the 75th percentile of $60,496, indicating this certificate type generally produces entry-level outcomes rather than premium placement. For a short-term credential, that's reasonable—but at North Idaho specifically, we don't know if the curriculum, employer connections, or local tech market shift those odds up or down. The quarter of students receiving Pell grants suggests some students are financing even this modest credential with need-based aid, making actual outcomes particularly important to verify.

Before committing, contact the college directly for concrete placement data: where do graduates actually work, what roles do they fill, and what's the typical starting salary in the Coeur d'Alene and Spokane tech markets? A certificate is a lower-stakes investment than a degree, but you still need evidence that this specific program connects students to jobs that justify even $13,000 in debt.