Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications at Saint Paul College

Saint Paul College's networking program starts graduates at $38,654—roughly $7,000 below Minnesota's median and ranking in just the 25th percentile among the state's 12 programs. That's a meaningful gap when Alexandria Tech and Dunwoody graduates are clearing $47,000-$50,000 in similar fields and labor markets. The lower debt ($16,065 versus $19,000 statewide) offers some compensation, but not enough to offset the earnings disadvantage in those critical first years of career building.

The 43% earnings jump to $55,141 by year four is encouraging and suggests graduates do find their footing in IT roles. However, this data comes from fewer than 30 graduates, so individual circumstances could be skewing the picture. With 40% of students receiving Pell grants, affordability matters here, and the manageable debt load does make this accessible for students who need it.

If your child has offers from Alexandria Tech or Dunwoody for networking, those programs show stronger starting outcomes. Saint Paul College might work for students prioritizing proximity to the Twin Cities metro or those who need the lower debt burden, but they should understand they're likely starting from a lower salary baseline than peers at other Minnesota programs.