Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management at Paradise Valley Community College

An estimated $17,500 in debt paired with first-year earnings around $41,750 suggests this program could offer a manageable entry into IT—though it's worth noting these figures come from national peer programs, not Paradise Valley's actual graduates. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.42 means students would owe roughly five months of their first-year salary, which falls well within the range most financial experts consider reasonable for an associate degree.

What makes this estimate somewhat reliable is the large sample it's drawn from: nearly 600 schools nationally offer this credential, creating a substantial baseline. However, Phoenix's tech job market could push actual outcomes higher or lower than the national median, and community colleges often see wider variation in outcomes depending on whether graduates transfer to four-year programs, enter the workforce immediately, or pursue industry certifications alongside their degree.

For parents evaluating this investment, the estimated debt load is modest enough that even if actual earnings land below the national median, the financial risk remains contained. The bigger variable is what your student does with the degree—whether they leverage it as a stepping stone to a bachelor's program, stack it with certifications like CompTIA or Cisco credentials, or use it to launch directly into help desk or junior admin roles. Without school-specific data, those strategic choices matter more than the estimates suggest on their own.