Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications at Pierce College District

Looking at the four-year earnings figure reveals something unusual: graduates from comparable networking programs nationally earn around $43,276 in their first year, yet Pierce College graduates report actual median earnings of just $37,831 four years out. That backward trajectory—earning less with more experience—should concern any parent considering this program. While estimated debt of $15,832 sits well below both national and Washington state medians, making the immediate financial burden manageable, the earnings pattern suggests graduates may be stuck in lower-tier positions or leaving the field entirely.

Washington state's networking programs generally produce stronger outcomes, with the state median first-year salary matching the national benchmark at $43,380. Pierce's actual mid-career data falling $5,500 below that suggests this particular program may not be connecting students to the region's better IT opportunities. For context, community colleges across Washington typically see debt loads around $10,759 for these programs—Pierce's estimated $15,832 is nearly 50% higher.

The practical issue here isn't affordability in isolation—a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.37 is theoretically reasonable. It's that parents would be paying for a program whose graduates appear to be earning less four years into their careers than fresh graduates from peer programs. Before committing, find out why Pierce's outcomes lag behind both the estimated starting point and other Washington programs, and whether the curriculum aligns with employers hiring for roles that pay closer to $43,000.