Management Information Systems and Services at Rasmussen University-Minnesota

Rasmussen's MIS associate degree delivers first-year earnings that place it in the 95th percentile nationally—an impressive achievement for a two-year program. At $46,337, graduates start at earnings levels that many bachelor's programs struggle to match, while carrying just $27,387 in debt. That 0.59 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates could realistically pay off their loans in less than three years if they prioritized it, making this one of the more financially sensible paths into tech support and IT roles.

The catch is that earnings flatline after year one. Graduates four years out earn essentially the same as new grads, suggesting limited advancement opportunities or that many leave the field. Within Minnesota, this program ranks in the 60th percentile—solid but not exceptional—which matters for students planning to stay local where employers may have established preferences. Still, for a school serving predominantly Pell grant recipients, these outcomes represent genuine economic mobility without crushing debt.

For families considering this path, the math works: strong starting pay, manageable debt, and a two-year timeline to employment. Just understand that you're likely buying entry into the workforce rather than a rapidly ascending career trajectory. If your child needs to start earning quickly and can always pursue a bachelor's later, this represents a low-risk first step into tech careers.