Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications at Sinclair Community College

Sinclair's networking program starts graduates at $45,772—above the national median but roughly middle-of-the-pack among Ohio's 17 schools offering this degree. What makes it stand out is the debt picture: at $17,816, students here borrow about half what the typical Ohio networking graduate carries ($30,649). That 0.39 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates owe less than five months of their starting salary, while peers at other Ohio schools often face nearly seven months' worth of debt for similar first-year earnings.

The earnings trajectory looks solid, growing 20% to nearly $55,000 by year four. However, the sample size here is small—under 30 graduates—so individual outliers could be skewing these figures. Still, the combination of reasonable starting pay and notably lower debt than state competitors suggests Sinclair delivers on the community college value promise: getting students trained and into the workforce without excessive borrowing.

For a family weighing options, this program offers a practical path into IT networking with manageable debt. The earnings won't wow anyone, but neither will the monthly loan payments, and that balance matters more than either number alone.