Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management at Pennsylvania College of Technology

Pennsylvania College of Technology's IT administration program punches well above its weight, placing graduates at $50,486—nearly $10,000 above the state median and ranking in the 80th percentile both nationally and statewide. Among Pennsylvania's 26 programs, only Strayer University produces higher earners, and Penn College does it with manageable debt that sits well below the national average.

The $28,000 in typical debt translates to a 0.55 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates earn nearly twice what they owe in their first year. That's a strong position for an associate degree program, especially considering that many IT administration roles value certifications and hands-on skills over four-year degrees. The program appears to deliver the technical training employers actually pay for, positioning graduates competitively in Pennsylvania's IT job market without the extended time and debt burden of a bachelor's program.

The major caveat here is sample size—fewer than 30 graduates means these numbers could shift significantly year to year. One particularly successful (or unsuccessful) cohort can skew the data. Still, the combination of above-average earnings, below-average debt, and strong state-level performance suggests Penn College has built something that works. For families weighing a two-year technical degree against four years at a traditional college, these outcomes justify serious consideration.