Computer Programming at Pasadena City College

Similar Computer Programming certificate programs in California produce median earnings of $60,496, which makes the $43,727 estimated for this program appear notably lower—roughly $17,000 less than what peers in the state typically achieve. That's a significant gap worth understanding. The estimated debt of $13,274 is reasonable for a certificate, but it matters far more what that debt enables you to earn.

A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.30 sits in acceptable territory—you'd be borrowing roughly three months' worth of first-year income. However, the real challenge here is whether these earnings represent a data quirk or something systematic about outcomes at this particular program. When graduates from comparable California programs earn $60,000, falling short by nearly 30% suggests either this program serves different employment markets or students may not be gaining the same competitive positioning in California's tech landscape.

For an anxious parent, this requires investigation: Are graduates finding employment in tech hubs where salaries run higher? Does the curriculum emphasize different programming languages or skills? Pasadena City College's 30% Pell population suggests strong access, but you'll want concrete placement rates and employer connections before committing. The estimated figures here don't tell you this program underperforms—they tell you the graduate cohort was too small to report publicly. That could mean excellent individualized attention or it could mean limited scale and industry reach. Ask the program directly where their completers work and what they earn.