Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications at South Puget Sound Community College

In Washington's community college landscape, networking programs typically prepare students for IT support roles that start around $43,000—exactly where South Puget Sound's program lands. That puts graduates right at the state median for this field, suggesting the program delivers on-the-job outcomes comparable to its peers across Washington.

The debt picture requires more inference. Since this program's graduate cohort was too small for the Department of Education to report actual debt figures, we're working with a national estimate of roughly $16,000. For context, other networking programs in Washington typically produce debt closer to $11,000. If South Puget Sound's actual debt runs closer to that state pattern, the investment math looks solid—two years of school leading to earnings that exceed the debt by more than 4x. If it tracks closer to the national estimate, you're still looking at debt that represents just 37% of first-year earnings, which is manageable for most graduates.

The practical consideration: networking associate's degrees are trade credentials that get you working quickly, not premium qualifications. At $43,000, your child would start near what Starbucks shift supervisors or medical assistants earn. It's steady work with room to grow through certifications, but families expecting associate's degrees to launch six-figure tech careers should recalibrate. If your child needs affordable entry into IT and plans to build skills on the job, this appears to offer a reasonable starting point—just verify the actual debt with the school's financial aid office before committing.