Computer Software and Media Applications at Stark State College

Stark State's software program starts rough but shows surprisingly strong momentum. That $22,525 first-year salary lands in the 17th percentile nationally—well below the $29,000 national median—but jumps 41% to $31,645 by year four. Among Ohio's associate programs in this field, it actually hits the median, suggesting the weak national ranking reflects Ohio's broader tech market more than this specific program.

The real advantage here is the $6,881 debt load, which sits at just 95th percentile (meaning only 5% of similar programs have lower debt). This creates breathing room that matters: graduates owe less than half of what peers at other schools typically carry. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.31 means students can reasonably pay this off within a year or two, even with those modest starting salaries. For a two-year degree, that's genuinely manageable.

The question is whether those earnings continue rising beyond year four or plateau near $32,000. If your child is using this as a stepping stone—planning to transfer for a bachelor's or quickly move into higher-paying roles—the low debt makes this a reasonable launchpad. If this is the terminal degree, understand you're trading lower earnings for minimal financial risk. For families who need to minimize borrowing while getting tech credentials, that tradeoff works.