Computer and Information Sciences at Pikes Peak State College

A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.32 suggests this certificate could work financially, but the gap between these national-based estimates and what other Colorado programs actually report should make you cautious. Similar certificate programs nationally suggest first-year earnings around $38,900 with debt near $12,450. That's manageable on paper—roughly three months of gross income to repay. However, actual Colorado computer science certificate graduates at comparable schools are earning considerably more: Front Range Community College reports $45,200, and CSU Global reaches $61,700.

The challenge here is that we're comparing estimated national figures to real Colorado outcomes, where the tech job market appears stronger than the national average. The state median for these programs sits at $53,500—nearly $15,000 above the national benchmark used for this estimate. Either this specific program truly underperforms the Colorado market (perhaps due to curriculum focus or employer connections), or the actual outcomes are better than these national estimates suggest but can't be published due to small class sizes.

Given the uncertainty, treat this certificate as a lower-cost entry point that might need supplementing. If your student can complete it for close to the estimated $12,450 and transition quickly into the workforce, it could open doors—especially at a community college price point. But if they're serious about maximizing Colorado's tech opportunities, programs with proven track records in the state might be worth the comparison shopping.