Computer Science at Northern Virginia Community College

Northern Virginia Community College's Computer Science associate program starts strong with $49,000 in first-year earnings—significantly above the national median of $39,000 for this degree—but the real story is what happens next. By year four, graduates are earning nearly $82,000, representing 67% earnings growth. That trajectory suggests this program is successfully positioning students for advancement in the D.C. metro area's robust tech sector, where many graduates likely move from junior positions into more substantial roles.

The $13,000 in debt produces a comfortable 0.27 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates owe just over three months of their first-year salary. While the program ranks at the 60th percentile among Virginia computer science associate programs, it's worth noting there are only seven such programs statewide, and the earnings match Virginia's median exactly. In practical terms, this means NOVA is right in the middle of a limited field where performance varies widely.

The major caveat here is sample size—fewer than 30 graduates reported data, so these numbers may not represent typical outcomes. Still, for families seeking affordable tech training in Northern Virginia, this program delivers strong earning potential at minimal debt, particularly for students who can leverage the region's concentration of government contractors and tech employers.