Computer and Information Sciences at South Texas College

The year-four earnings figure of $18,250 demands immediate attention here. While similar certificate programs nationally suggest first-year earnings around $39,000, something appears to derail this trajectory dramatically by the fourth year—a pattern that raises serious questions about whether graduates maintain employment in their field or find their credentials insufficient for sustained tech work.

The estimated debt of $12,448 looks manageable against that initial $39,000 benchmark, tracking close to both state and national norms for this credential. But debt serviceability depends on sustained income, and the fourth-year collapse suggests many graduates may struggle to build stable careers. For context, similar programs at other Texas institutions like Tarrant County College show first-year earnings of $37,808, indicating this is a credential with inherently modest starting power—making that fourth-year drop all the more concerning.

The practical reality: an undergraduate certificate in computer sciences occupies uncertain territory in a field where employers increasingly expect either full bachelor's degrees or highly specific industry certifications. If your student is considering this path, understand they may be entering a market where this credential alone doesn't provide clear positioning, and have a concrete plan for either immediate four-year degree transfer or stacking specific technical certifications that employers actually request in South Texas job postings.