Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management at Washington University of Science and Technology

A low 11% admission rate paired with zero Pell Grant recipients raises questions about what Washington University of Science and Technology is offering—and to whom. Based on comparable IT certificate programs nationally, graduates can expect earnings around $42,000 in their first year with debt near $10,400, producing a manageable 0.25 debt-to-earnings ratio. But the school's profile is puzzling: highly selective institutions don't typically offer short-term IT certificates, and the complete absence of financial aid recipients suggests this may be serving a niche population or operating under an unusual model.

The earnings estimate aligns with national medians for IT certificates but sits above what similar programs in Virginia typically produce—Northern Virginia Community College graduates, for instance, earn about $35,000. That's a meaningful difference, though without actual outcomes data from this specific program, it's impossible to know if Washington University consistently delivers on that higher figure or if graduates here follow the state pattern. The debt load appears reasonable either way, but the value proposition depends entirely on whether this school's particular approach justifies what may be significantly higher costs than community college alternatives offering the same credential.

Before committing, demand transparency: ask the school directly for placement rates, actual graduate outcomes, and what makes their model worth the selectivity and apparent premium. An IT certificate should be a practical, affordable pathway—not a mysterious one.