Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management at Northcentral Technical College

A debt load around $11,000—based on what similar Wisconsin tech programs typically produce—against first-year earnings of $42,271 creates a manageable 0.26 debt-to-earnings ratio. This puts graduates in a position where they could theoretically pay off their loans in about three months of gross income, a scenario that compares favorably to many bachelor's degree paths. The program matches the national median for IT administration certificates and sits above Wisconsin's typical outcomes, suggesting Northcentral delivers competitive value for students entering technical support and network administration roles.

The earnings decline from year one to year four deserves attention. While comparable programs elsewhere sometimes show similar patterns—often because graduates use these certificates as stepping stones to bachelor's degrees or different career paths—it raises questions about whether this credential alone provides sustained earning power. The relatively low Pell grant percentage suggests this program may primarily serve students with existing resources or employer support, which could influence career outcomes in ways not captured by the earnings data.

For parents, the key consideration is trajectory: if your student plans to stack this certificate with additional credentials or already has industry connections, the low debt makes it a reasonable testing ground. But if they're banking on this credential alone for long-term IT career growth, the flat earnings pattern suggests they should have a clear plan for what comes next.