Analysis
A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.51 suggests manageable borrowing, but the bigger concern here is that California's tech industry offers significantly more to computer science graduates than what national peer programs indicate. Similar associate's programs statewide produce median first-year earnings around $44,653βnearly $9,000 more than what national benchmarks suggest for Platt College-Anaheim's program. That's a substantial gap in a state where tech employers are known for competitive compensation, even at entry level.
The estimated $18,391 in debt sits below California's median for this field, which helps offset the earnings picture somewhat. With 60% of students receiving Pell grants, affordability matters here. But parents should understand that these figures are derived from comparable programs nationally, not from Platt College-Anaheim's actual graduate outcomes. The school's small cohort size means the Department of Education can't publish specific data, making it harder to gauge what graduates really achieve.
The key question is whether this program connects students to California's robust tech market or whether graduates end up competing for lower-paying positions. Before committing, find out exactly where recent graduates landed jobs and what they're earning. An associate's degree in computer science can be valuable, but in California's competitive landscape, you want confirmation that this specific program delivers outcomes closer to the state median than the national floor.
Where Platt College-Anaheim Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all computer and information sciences associates's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in California
Computer and Information Sciences associates's programs at peer institutions in California (93 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $14,804 | $35,761* | β | $18,391* | β | |
| β | $44,653* | β | $19,300* | 0.43 | |
| National Median | β | $35,760* | β | $14,932* | 0.42 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with computer and information sciences graduates
Computer and Information Systems Managers
Computer and Information Research Scientists
Software Developers
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers
Computer Network Architects
Telecommunications Engineering Specialists
Information Security Analysts
Database Administrators
Database Architects
Data Warehousing Specialists
Data Scientists
Business Intelligence Analysts
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Platt College-Anaheim, approximately 60% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the national median of 80 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.