Computer and Information Sciences at West Kentucky Community and Technical College

West Kentucky Community and Technical College's computer science certificate produces earnings that sit squarely at Kentucky's median for this credential, but significantly trail the state's top performers. At $36,332 one year out, graduates earn about $4,000 less than those from Jefferson Community and Technical College and nearly $9,000 less than Gateway's program. While the debt load is manageable at $10,875—resulting in a reasonable 0.30 debt-to-earnings ratio—the real question is whether this program positions graduates competitively in Kentucky's tech job market.

The earnings gap matters because these are entry-level IT positions where starting salaries set the trajectory for career growth. Gateway and Jefferson's programs demonstrate that similar community college certificates can deliver 15-25% higher initial earnings. For families in western Kentucky considering this program, the location convenience might come at a measurable cost compared to making the drive to Louisville or Lexington for training.

That said, the small sample size here (under 30 graduates) means these numbers could shift considerably year to year. The low debt is genuinely attractive for a short-term credential, and for students who need to stay local, this beats not pursuing technical training at all. But if relocating for school is feasible, Kentucky has clearly stronger options in this same program category.