Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management at Whatcom Community College

Comparable IT management programs in Washington typically produce first-year earnings around $40,000-$42,000, placing Whatcom's estimated outcomes squarely in the middle of the pack. What's encouraging is the jump to $51,923 by year four—a 24% earnings increase that suggests graduates are gaining valuable experience and advancing beyond entry-level positions. The $17,510 in debt sits right at the state median and well below the national figure of $21,480, creating a manageable debt burden at roughly half a year's starting salary.

The caveat here is meaningful: Whatcom's first-year earnings figure is an estimate based on national peer programs because too few graduates reported data to the Department of Education. The year-four number is actual, which gives you a real endpoint to work with, but you're extrapolating backward from that to gauge the starting position. Similar programs at Clover Park and Spokane Falls Community College show first-year earnings in this same $39,000-$42,000 range, lending credibility to the estimate.

For a two-year IT credential, this represents a straightforward investment—relatively low debt for an associate's degree combined with clear earnings progression over time. The risk is that this specific program might underperform or outperform the estimate, but the state's IT job market and comparable community college outcomes suggest the projection is reasonable. If your student can keep borrowing close to this $17,500 level, the four-year earnings trajectory makes this a defensible choice.