Computer and Information Sciences at Somerset Community College

Somerset Community College's computer science associate program delivers an exceptionally low debt burden—just $8,900, which puts it in the 95th percentile nationally (meaning only 5% of programs have lower debt). That's less than 60% of what graduates typically owe for this degree, and with first-year earnings of $37,343, the debt-to-income ratio of 0.24 means graduates can realistically pay off their loans in under a year if they prioritize it. For families concerned about education debt, this is among the most affordable paths into tech work.

The earnings picture requires more nuance. While graduates earn slightly above the national median for this degree, they fall short of Kentucky's state median by about $750 annually. More concerning, they're significantly trailing other Kentucky community colleges—Gateway grads earn $12,000 more, and even nearby programs like Bluegrass and Jefferson see notably higher outcomes. The modest 3% earnings growth over four years suggests graduates may be landing in support roles rather than positions with strong advancement potential.

For students planning to transfer to a four-year program, this could work as an affordable stepping stone—the minimal debt won't burden their bachelor's degree plans. But students treating this as a terminal degree should weigh whether a different Kentucky community college might better position them in the job market, even if it means taking on more debt that stronger earnings would quickly offset.