Computer and Information Sciences at University of Arkansas Community College-Morrilton

This open-access program in Arkansas comes with a manageable debt load—an estimated $12,500 based on typical outcomes at community colleges. That's $2,400 below what computer science associate's degree programs nationally tend to produce, giving students a lighter burden even if earnings start modest. The estimated first-year salary of $35,761, drawn from similar programs nationwide, sits slightly above what Arkansas typically delivers for this credential. The state's one program with reported data shows graduates earning about $3,500 less, suggesting UACCM students might benefit from regional employer connections or curriculum design that translates better to local IT jobs.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.35 means borrowed debt equals roughly four months of gross income—a threshold that most financial advisors consider reasonable for an entry-level technical credential. With 43% of students qualifying for Pell grants, many attendees are already balancing cost sensitivity against career mobility, and this program keeps financial risk contained. Computer science associate's degrees often serve as stepping stones either into the workforce or toward bachelor's completion, so the lighter debt preserves flexibility for either path.

The caveat: these figures reflect peer institutions, not UACCM's actual track record. For a clearer picture, ask the school's career services office about job placement rates and which local employers regularly hire their graduates. If UACCM has strong partnerships with Arkansas tech companies or healthcare systems needing IT support, this could outperform the estimates.