Computer and Information Sciences at Southwestern Illinois College

Based on comparable programs nationally, students finishing this two-year degree can expect first-year earnings around $35,761—which sits right at the national median for computer science associate programs. The estimated debt load of $12,500 is notably lower than both the national median ($14,932) and the Illinois state median ($17,312), putting this program in a stronger financial position than many alternatives. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.35, graduates would need roughly four months of pre-tax income to cover their total educational debt.

The challenge is that these figures are estimates drawn from peer institutions, since too few students completed this specific program for the Department of Education to report actual outcomes. That means there's real uncertainty about whether Southwestern Illinois College's graduates actually achieve these earnings or carry this debt load. The estimates suggest a manageable financial picture—earning at the national benchmark while borrowing less than typical—but without actual graduate data, you're making decisions based on what similar programs produce elsewhere.

For families weighing this investment, the baseline economics look reasonable if the estimates hold true. An associate degree with sub-$13,000 debt and mid-$30,000 starting pay represents a plausible path into IT work without the extended commitment of a bachelor's program. But given the lack of verified outcomes, talking directly with the department about job placement rates and where recent graduates actually landed would be essential before enrolling.