Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications at Northwest Vista College

Similar networking programs across Texas suggest first-year earnings around $38,000, climbing to $58,000 by year four—a trajectory that should interest parents weighing this two-year investment. The estimated $13,000 in debt is notably lower than both the state and national median of nearly $22,000, putting Northwest Vista roughly $9,000 below what comparable programs typically charge. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.34, graduates would theoretically devote about four months of first-year salary to loan repayment.

The four-year earnings figure deserves attention here. That $58,000 mark exceeds what graduates from Austin Community College and DeVry earn in their first year, suggesting this field rewards experience quickly. However, peer programs at Austin CC and other major Texas community colleges show stronger starting salaries—some launching graduates $6,000 to $9,000 higher out of the gate. That initial gap matters when you're managing loan payments and living expenses in San Antonio.

For parents, the combination of below-average debt and solid mid-term earnings makes this a defensible path into IT, particularly if your student needs to stay local or prefers a community college environment. Just recognize that these figures reflect broader Texas patterns, not Northwest Vista's specific track record, and that stronger-performing alternatives exist within the state's community college system.