Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management at Saint Paul College

Based on comparable IT programs across Minnesota, this associate's degree appears positioned in the middle of the pack—with estimated first-year earnings around $44,500 and debt around $17,900. That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.40 is workable, meaning graduates would owe roughly 40% of their first year's salary, which most could manage on a tech salary.

What matters more here is the comparison to nearby alternatives. Dakota County Technical College and Hennepin Technical College both report actual earnings above $46,000, while Saint Paul College's peer programs suggest closer to $44,500. That $2,000-$5,000 gap might not sound dramatic, but over a decade it compounds significantly. The estimated debt here is also slightly lower than the state median, which helps offset the earnings difference somewhat.

For families where affordability is paramount—particularly relevant given that 40% of students receive Pell grants—the combination of modest debt and middle-range tech earnings could work. However, if your child has access to one of the higher-performing programs within commuting distance, those few thousand extra dollars annually would likely justify any additional effort to attend. The uncertainty around these estimates means you should directly ask Saint Paul College about their graduates' actual job placement and starting salaries before committing.