Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications at Roxbury Community College

This networking certificate presents an uncertain investment given the limited track record. Similar programs nationally suggest first-year earnings around $36,900, with estimated debt of $14,700—a manageable 0.40 ratio. That means roughly five months of gross income to cover the full debt load. However, these figures come from peer programs elsewhere, not Roxbury's actual graduates, leaving parents without clear evidence of how this specific certificate performs in Massachusetts' competitive tech market.

The concern here isn't the debt-to-earnings ratio itself, but what comes next. Networking certifications often serve as entry points to IT careers, where advancement depends heavily on additional credentials and hands-on experience. At $36,900, you're looking at help desk or junior technician wages—reasonable starting points, but below what many four-year tech graduates in Massachusetts command. The school serves predominantly Pell-eligible students (60%), suggesting a mission focused on workforce entry rather than maximizing starting salaries.

For families weighing this option: recognize you're making a decision with incomplete information. The certificate may work as a low-cost credential for someone already working in IT who needs formal training, or as a stepping stone toward an associate degree. As a standalone investment for someone entering the field fresh, the lack of outcome data makes it difficult to assess whether Roxbury's program connects students to Massachusetts employers effectively enough to justify even this modest debt load.