Computer and Information Sciences at Saint Johns River State College

A computer certificate from a community college typically offers a low-cost entry point into tech, and the estimated figures here—$12,448 in debt against first-year earnings around $39,000—suggest that pattern holds at Saint Johns River State. Based on comparable certificate programs nationally, graduates would need roughly four months of gross pay to cover their educational debt, which represents a manageable burden compared to many credential options.

The challenge is that we're working entirely from national estimates since Saint Johns River's program serves too few graduates for the Department of Education to publish actual outcomes. Similar computer science certificates across the country produce the $39,000 median we're using here, but that figure masks enormous variation—some programs place graduates into $45,000+ positions while others struggle to reach $30,000. Location matters tremendously in tech, and Palatka's distance from Florida's major tech hubs could limit access to higher-paying opportunities that drive up earnings elsewhere.

For families considering this program, the low estimated debt makes it a relatively low-risk option, but the absence of school-specific data means you're essentially betting that Saint Johns River performs at least as well as the national middle of the pack. If your student plans to relocate to Jacksonville, Orlando, or Tampa after graduation, the credential could serve as an affordable stepping stone. If they're planning to stay local, research the actual tech job market in the Palatka area before committing.