Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management at Unitek College

Unitek College's IT certificate delivers middling results for California—landing at the 40th percentile among state programs despite beating the national median. While $45,517 starting isn't bad for a certificate program, it falls short of what top California tech schools achieve, with programs like University of Phoenix-California and Asher College placing graduates $2,000-5,000 higher.

The debt picture offers some relief: at $9,403, students borrow less than both state and national medians, creating a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.21. That means graduates owe roughly 2.5 months' salary—low enough that repayment shouldn't dominate their budgets. The 11% earnings bump to $50,356 by year four suggests career progression is possible, though not spectacular.

For parents weighing this program, the question is whether certificate-level credentials justify the cost when free or cheaper community college options exist in California's tech-heavy job market. The relatively high Pell Grant population (42%) indicates this serves working-class students seeking quick workforce entry, and the modest debt supports that goal. But positioning in the middle of California's competitive IT landscape—not bottom, not top—means your child will need hustle and networking to match outcomes from stronger programs. This works as affordable career training, but set realistic expectations about starting salaries in one of America's priciest states.