Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications at University of St Thomas

A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.59 sounds manageable in theory, but the reality for this program requires closer scrutiny. Based on comparable networking programs across Texas, graduates here would start around $38,255—substantially below what students at Houston Community College ($42,875) or Austin Community College ($46,969) typically earn in the same field and credential level. That $4,000-8,000 gap matters when you're carrying $22,700 in debt, especially since these community college alternatives often come with lighter debt loads and produce stronger early earnings.

The real concern is paying private university prices for outcomes that mirror the state median. Similar programs in Texas suggest first-year earnings that lag behind the national benchmark by roughly $5,000, and University of St. Thomas—despite its 93% admission rate and respectable academic profile—doesn't appear to deliver the placement advantage you'd hope for given its private status. In a field where community colleges dominate the top-performing programs in Texas, the value equation here feels upside-down.

If your child is set on this path, compare the total cost directly against Houston Community College or Dallas College. The estimated figures here track peer programs closely enough to suggest that St. Thomas isn't unlocking significantly better outcomes in this particular major—and in technical fields like networking, employer connections and hands-on training often matter more than institutional prestige.