Computer and Information Sciences at Paul D Camp Community College

A certificate in computer science typically opens doors to entry-level IT positions, but this program's estimated debt of $12,448 sits below both the Virginia state median ($14,406) and national median ($11,000) for similar credentials. Based on comparable certificate programs nationwide, graduates can expect around $38,858 in first-year earnings—resulting in a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.32, which means you'd be borrowing roughly one-third of your first year's salary.

The challenge with this specific program is that we're working entirely with estimates drawn from peer programs since Paul D Camp's graduate numbers are too small for the Department of Education to report. What we do know is that Virginia has 27 schools offering computer science certificates, suggesting a competitive landscape where outcomes likely vary significantly by program quality, industry connections, and local job markets. Franklin's rural location may limit immediate local opportunities compared to Northern Virginia's tech corridor, though remote work has expanded possibilities in the field.

For parents evaluating this investment, the estimated numbers suggest manageable debt relative to potential earnings, but you'll need to dig deeper into Paul D Camp's specific placement outcomes, employer partnerships, and which IT certifications or skills the program actually delivers. A certificate that leads to help desk work pays differently than one focused on cybersecurity or cloud computing, and the national estimates can't tell you which path this program prepares students for.