Computer and Information Sciences at Pikes Peak State College

An estimated first-year salary of $35,700 puts this program thousands below what Colorado employers typically pay for similar credentials. Front Range Community College's graduates earn $53,200—nearly 50% more—suggesting the state's tech market rewards associate degrees in computer science quite well, but outcomes vary dramatically by school. With limited graduate data available for Pikes Peak, we're relying on national benchmarks, which skew lower than Colorado's robust tech economy would suggest.

The estimated debt load of $12,500 is manageable, translating to monthly payments around $140 over ten years. That's roughly 4% of monthly take-home pay at the estimated starting salary—well within the comfortable range. Colorado programs in this field typically carry higher debt ($18,700 median), so if these estimates hold true, you'd at least be borrowing less than state peers.

The gap between Pikes Peak's estimated outcomes and Front Range's reported figures is worth investigating directly with both schools. Ask Pikes Peak about their job placement rates, employer partnerships, and whether their graduates tend to stay in Colorado Springs (where tech salaries may lag Denver) or move to higher-paying markets. The fundamentals—low debt for a tech credential—look sound, but you'll want confidence that graduates actually land jobs comparable to other Colorado programs before committing.