Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management at Wichita State University-Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology

The debt burden looks manageable here—an estimated $17,500 represents less than half a year's salary for a program where similar IT administration associate's degrees nationally produce first-year earnings around $42,000. That's a ratio many finance professionals would consider reasonable, though keep in mind these figures come from peer programs since this specific program's graduate sample was too small for the Department of Education to publish. The estimated debt sits notably below both the national median of $21,480 and Kansas's $20,852 median for this credential.

What's less clear is whether this particular two-year pathway makes strategic sense in Kansas's tech market. Rasmussen's IT administration associate's program—one of the few in-state programs with actual reported data—shows graduates earning $42,043, suggesting the field does offer immediate employment opportunities. However, IT credentials often form part of longer educational pathways, and starting here means you're potentially committing to additional years and debt if a bachelor's becomes necessary for career advancement.

The key question is employment trajectory. If graduates from comparable programs secure IT support or junior admin roles that offer advancement without requiring a bachelor's, this could be a solid entry point. But if most positions cap out without further education, that $17,500 becomes the first installment rather than the total investment. Ask the school directly about their graduates' placement rates and whether most students continue on to bachelor's programs.