Computer and Information Sciences at Southeast Community College Area

Southeast Community College Area's computer science associate's program commands roughly $6,000 more in debt than other Nebraska programs, but that premium buys something tangible: first-year earnings of $55,738 that crush both the state median ($48,719) and dwarf the national median ($35,760) by more than 50%. While this ranks in the 60th percentile among Nebraska programs—meaning Metropolitan Community College matches these outcomes at lower cost—it still places in the 95th percentile nationally, indicating this program competes well beyond typical community college computer science outcomes.

The debt picture deserves attention. At $19,140, graduates carry about $6,000 more than the Nebraska median, though the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.34 means this is paid off in roughly four months of gross income. Earnings growth to nearly $60,000 by year four suggests graduates aren't just landing entry-level help desk jobs but are building genuine IT careers. For context, many associate's programs see graduates plateau or decline in earnings after the initial bump.

**The bottom line:** This program delivers strong financial outcomes that justify its higher price tag, especially for families prioritizing immediate earning power over minimizing debt. If Metropolitan Community College is accessible and offers similar instruction, compare carefully—but Southeast's track record of placing graduates into well-paying tech roles makes this a defensible choice for Nebraska families.