Location: Santa Monica, CA•In-State Tuition: $1,156•Out-of-State Tuition: $9,316
Est. Earnings (1yr)
$45,575
Est. from CA median (6 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$12,000
Est. from national median (15 programs)

Analysis

Similar IT certificate programs in California suggest first-year earnings around $45,575—right at the state median—while debt estimates point to $12,000, which is actually higher than California's typical $9,966 for this credential. That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.26 means graduates would owe roughly a quarter of their first year's salary, a manageable burden if the earnings projections hold true.

The challenge here is the uncertainty. These estimates come from just six comparable California programs for earnings and fifteen national programs for debt, meaning there's significant variance in what Santa Monica College graduates actually experience. The school's strong community college foundation and 26% Pell Grant enrollment suggest it serves students seeking affordable pathways to tech work, but without actual graduate outcomes, it's impossible to know if this specific program delivers on that promise. California's competitive IT market could mean higher earnings potential locally, or it could mean the certificate alone isn't enough to stand out.

For an anxious parent, this comes down to risk tolerance. If your child already has some tech experience or plans to stack this certificate toward an associate degree, the modest debt estimate makes it a reasonable bet based on how peer programs perform. But if you're counting on $45,000+ earnings from this certificate alone, understand you're relying on estimates, not this school's track record. Ask the college directly about job placement rates and where recent graduates actually land—their answers will tell you more than these borrowed numbers can.

Where Santa Monica College Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all computer/information technology administration and management certificate's programs nationally

Santa Monica College (estimated ±10%)Other computer/information technology administration and management programs

Dashed lines show national medians. Upper-left = best value.

Compare to Similar Programs in California

Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management certificate's programs at peer institutions in California (79 total in state)

Scroll to see more →

SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
Santa Monica CollegeSanta Monica$1,156$45,575*—$12,000*—
University of Phoenix-CaliforniaOntario—$50,255*$53,968$12,812*0.25
Asher CollegeSacramento—$47,168*$49,525$12,417*0.26
Southern California Institute of TechnologyAnaheim$20,515$45,632*$47,004$10,432*0.23
Unitek CollegeFremont—$45,517*$50,356$9,403*0.21
MTI CollegeSacramento—$43,827*$45,278$9,500*0.22
National Median—$42,271*—$12,000*0.28
* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with computer/information technology administration and management graduates

Computer and Information Systems Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as electronic data processing, information systems, systems analysis, and computer programming.

$171,200/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Computer Network Architects

Design and implement computer and information networks, such as local area networks (LAN), wide area networks (WAN), intranets, extranets, and other data communications networks. Perform network modeling, analysis, and planning, including analysis of capacity needs for network infrastructures. May also design network and computer security measures. May research and recommend network and data communications hardware and software.

$130,390/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Telecommunications Engineering Specialists

Design or configure wired, wireless, and satellite communications systems for voice, video, and data services. Supervise installation, service, and maintenance.

$130,390/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Information Security Analysts

Plan, implement, upgrade, or monitor security measures for the protection of computer networks and information. Assess system vulnerabilities for security risks and propose and implement risk mitigation strategies. May ensure appropriate security controls are in place that will safeguard digital files and vital electronic infrastructure. May respond to computer security breaches and viruses.

$124,910/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Database Administrators

Administer, test, and implement computer databases, applying knowledge of database management systems. Coordinate changes to computer databases. Identify, investigate, and resolve database performance issues, database capacity, and database scalability. May plan, coordinate, and implement security measures to safeguard computer databases.

$123,100/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Database Architects

Design strategies for enterprise databases, data warehouse systems, and multidimensional networks. Set standards for database operations, programming, query processes, and security. Model, design, and construct large relational databases or data warehouses. Create and optimize data models for warehouse infrastructure and workflow. Integrate new systems with existing warehouse structure and refine system performance and functionality.

$123,100/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Data Warehousing Specialists

Design, model, or implement corporate data warehousing activities. Program and configure warehouses of database information and provide support to warehouse users.

$123,100/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Project Management Specialists

Analyze and coordinate the schedule, timeline, procurement, staffing, and budget of a product or service on a per project basis. Lead and guide the work of technical staff. May serve as a point of contact for the client or customer.

$100,750/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Network and Computer Systems Administrators

Install, configure, and maintain an organization's local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), data communications network, operating systems, and physical and virtual servers. Perform system monitoring and verify the integrity and availability of hardware, network, and server resources and systems. Review system and application logs and verify completion of scheduled jobs, including system backups. Analyze network and server resource consumption and control user access. Install and upgrade software and maintain software licenses. May assist in network modeling, analysis, planning, and coordination between network and data communications hardware and software.

$96,800/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Web Developers

Develop and implement websites, web applications, application databases, and interactive web interfaces. Evaluate code to ensure that it is properly structured, meets industry standards, and is compatible with browsers and devices. Optimize website performance, scalability, and server-side code and processes. May develop website infrastructure and integrate websites with other computer applications.

$95,380/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Web and Digital Interface Designers

Design digital user interfaces or websites. Develop and test layouts, interfaces, functionality, and navigation menus to ensure compatibility and usability across browsers or devices. May use web framework applications as well as client-side code and processes. May evaluate web design following web and accessibility standards, and may analyze web use metrics and optimize websites for marketability and search engine ranking. May design and test interfaces that facilitate the human-computer interaction and maximize the usability of digital devices, websites, and software with a focus on aesthetics and design. May create graphics used in websites and manage website content and links.

$95,380/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Video Game Designers

Design core features of video games. Specify innovative game and role-play mechanics, story lines, and character biographies. Create and maintain design documentation. Guide and collaborate with production staff to produce games as designed.

$95,380/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree
About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Santa Monica College, approximately 26% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 6 similar programs in CA. Actual outcomes may vary.