Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management at Saint Ambrose University

A $27,000 debt load for a bachelor's in IT management sits right at the national median for this credential, while similar programs typically produce first-year earnings around $58,000. That translates to a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.47—meaning graduates would owe roughly half their first-year salary, which falls within workable territory for many families. With only two schools in Iowa offering this specific program and neither reporting actual outcomes, families are navigating with limited visibility into how Saint Ambrose's approach specifically translates to career outcomes.

The IT management field generally offers decent entry-level salaries, and peer programs nationally suggest graduates start in the mid-to-high $50,000s. However, Saint Ambrose's 73% admission rate and modest Pell enrollment (28%) indicate it's a moderately selective private institution, which can sometimes mean stronger alumni networks and employer connections than raw numbers suggest—or simply higher tuition without proportional career advantages. Without actual data from Saint Ambrose graduates, it's impossible to know which applies here.

The practical question is whether this particular program justifies its cost when online IT credentials or public university options might produce similar starting salaries with less debt. The estimated financials suggest this could work if Saint Ambrose offers specific advantages—internship pipelines, regional employer relationships, or hands-on experience—that accelerate early career progression. Ask the school directly about job placement rates and where recent graduates actually landed, since those concrete outcomes matter more than any estimate.