Computer and Information Sciences at University of Maine at Augusta

A short-term certificate in computing looks manageable on paper—comparable programs nationally show around $12,500 in debt against roughly $39,000 in first-year earnings. That's a debt load you could realistically pay off within a year or two if you're disciplined about it. The 0.32 debt-to-earnings ratio suggests this isn't an overwhelming financial burden, though it's worth noting these figures come from peer programs across the country rather than UMA Augusta's specific outcomes.

The challenge is what that $39,000 actually means in Maine's job market. Computer certificates can lead anywhere from help desk positions to network administration, and the salary range reflects that uncertainty. Some graduates might land roles paying $45,000 or more (the national 75th percentile), while others could struggle to break $35,000. The credential itself doesn't guarantee a particular career path, and in a smaller market like Augusta, networking and prior experience may matter as much as the certificate.

For a student who already has some tech background and needs formal credentials to advance, this could work. But if your child is starting from scratch and hoping a brief certificate program will open doors to well-paying tech jobs, that's a riskier bet. The low debt is reassuring, but the earnings potential is modest enough that success will depend heavily on what your child brings to the table beyond the certificate itself.