Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management at The College of Health Care Professions-Southwest Houston

In Texas, associate degrees in IT management typically lead to median first-year earnings around $49,160—nearly $7,500 above what comparable programs nationally suggest graduates from this school might earn. That gap matters for a practical reason: at an estimated $25,849 in debt, students here would be borrowing slightly more than the Texas median while potentially earning considerably less than their in-state peers. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.62 isn't alarming on its own, but it loses appeal when you consider that Texas State Technical College graduates in this field start around $36,500 with similar or lower debt loads.

The 73% Pell grant rate tells you this school serves students who need the credential to work, and an IT management associate's degree can absolutely open doors in Houston's diverse economy. The question is whether this particular program positions graduates as competitively as alternatives would. The estimates suggest it may not—especially when other Texas programs are producing first-year earnings ranging from the mid-$30s to over $60,000.

Before committing, get concrete placement data directly from the school: where do graduates actually work, and what do they earn? For a field this practical, employment outcomes matter more than the credential itself.