Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management at Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Jacksboro
Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma
tcatjacksboro.eduAnalysis
A debt load around $12,000 for a technical certificate is manageable territory, but the real question is whether Tennessee employers value this particular credential enough to justify the time investment. Based on similar IT administration programs nationally, first-year earnings hover around $42,000—not poor for a certificate, but Tennessee's tech job market can be unpredictable outside major metros like Nashville and Chattanooga. Jacksboro sits in rural Campbell County, far from those tech hubs.
The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.28 suggests graduates could theoretically pay off their loans in roughly three months of gross income, which sounds promising. However, this estimate comes from peer programs nationally, and the absence of reported data from Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Jacksboro itself—or from any of the 18 similar programs across Tennessee—means we're essentially guessing at outcomes. Nearly half the students here receive Pell grants, indicating many families are betting limited resources on this path without local evidence of its payoff.
Before committing, your child should talk directly with recent graduates about job placement and starting salaries, not just admissions counselors. The school's specific employer relationships and graduate outcomes matter far more than national averages when you're dealing with a localized credential in rural Tennessee. If those conversations reveal solid placement rates with regional employers, the low debt makes this a reasonable gamble; if not, community college IT programs with clearer track records might be safer bets.
Where Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Jacksboro Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all computer/information technology administration and management certificate's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs Nationally
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management certificate's programs at top institutions nationally
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | $42,271* | — | $12,000* | — | |
| $22,082 | $81,170* | — | —* | — | |
| $45,550 | $73,588* | — | $27,500* | 0.37 | |
| $8,400 | $50,957* | $57,353 | $21,950* | 0.43 | |
| — | $50,255* | $53,968 | $12,812* | 0.25 | |
| — | $50,255* | $53,968 | $12,812* | 0.25 | |
| National Median | — | $42,271* | — | $12,000* | 0.28 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with computer/information technology administration and management graduates
Computer and Information Systems Managers
Computer Network Architects
Telecommunications Engineering Specialists
Information Security Analysts
Database Administrators
Database Architects
Data Warehousing Specialists
Project Management Specialists
Network and Computer Systems Administrators
Web Developers
Web and Digital Interface Designers
Video Game Designers
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Jacksboro, approximately 47% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the national median of 33 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.