Computer and Information Sciences at Terra State Community College

An estimated $12,500 in debt positions this associate's program well below both the national median ($14,932) and especially Ohio's median ($29,500) for similar tech credentials. When paired with projected first-year earnings around $35,800—figures drawn from peer community college programs nationally—the 0.35 debt-to-earnings ratio suggests manageable repayment. The challenge is that without Terra State's actual outcomes, we're working from averages across 80 similar programs that could range dramatically based on local job markets and employer connections.

The Fremont area's tech employment landscape matters enormously here. Community college IT programs succeed when they're tightly linked to regional employers who hire graduates directly into help desk, network support, or junior developer roles. Ohio's tech sector is concentrated in metro areas like Columbus and Cleveland, not smaller cities like Fremont. If graduates need to relocate for work, that estimated $12,500 debt advantage could evaporate quickly through moving costs and delayed employment.

For parents, the calculation hinges on your child's specific career target and local opportunities. An associate's degree can be a cost-effective entry point into IT, especially if they can work while completing a bachelor's later. But confirm that Terra State's curriculum matches actual job requirements in your target geography, and talk to their career services about where recent graduates have landed—not just whether they found jobs, but what those jobs pay in year one.