Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management at Tarrant County College District

Based on comparable programs nationally, this associate's degree would leave graduates with roughly $17,500 in debt and first-year earnings around $41,752—a manageable 0.42 ratio that suggests the debt could be cleared in a reasonable timeframe. However, the state context reveals a significant gap: similar IT programs in Texas typically produce median earnings of $49,160, suggesting this pathway may underperform compared to peer options closer to home. Texas State Technical College, for instance, reports actual earnings of $36,509, while Strayer's Texas campus shows $61,810—a wide range that underscores how much program quality and employer connections matter in this field.

The estimated debt figure appears relatively modest for an associate's degree, especially compared to the Texas median of $22,837 for this program type. Yet the earnings estimate sits well below what Texas employers typically pay IT professionals with this credential. That $7,400 gap between estimated national earnings and the Texas median isn't trivial—it represents real purchasing power in a state with a robust tech sector.

For a community college that serves a substantial Pell population, the cautious approach here is to verify whether Tarrant County's actual graduate outcomes justify enrollment, particularly since the estimates are based on national patterns rather than this institution's specific track record. If your child has access to programs with documented placement rates and higher local earnings, those alternatives deserve serious consideration before committing.