Computer Software and Media Applications at Pennsylvania College of Technology

Pennsylvania College of Technology's software program delivers exactly what you'd hope for: graduates earn slightly above both state and national averages while taking on manageable debt. With first-year earnings of $43,144 and debt under $29,000, the 0.66 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates can realistically handle their loans—a particularly reassuring picture given that a third of students here receive Pell grants.

The program's 60th percentile ranking among Pennsylvania's 11 software programs matters more than it might seem. Many students choose Penn College specifically for its hands-on technical focus and in-state tuition advantage, and the earnings data confirms they're getting solid value compared to pricier Pennsylvania alternatives. The 15% earnings growth to nearly $50,000 by year four suggests graduates are building marketable skills that translate into career progression.

The main caveat is modest sample size—fewer than 100 graduates in the data—so individual outcomes may vary more than at larger programs. But the fundamentals are sound: debt is reasonable, earnings beat the benchmarks, and graduates are entering a field with clear upward mobility. For families seeking practical tech training without gambling on prestige or accumulating excessive debt, this program does the job.