Computer Networking at Houston Community College

Houston, TX · Public · Associate Degree · Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications

serving a student body of 37,970 in Houston, TX.

Program Analysis

At $42,875 per year, Computer Networking graduates from Houston Community College earn slightly above the $39,678 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 109.9x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Computer Networking programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Computer Networking's career paths, with 68% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 0% gap from the optimistic case.

The median debt load of $14,750 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.

Ranked #8 of 92 programs, Houston Community College's Computer Networking program falls in the top 10%, outperforming most peers on financial outcomes.

One registered apprenticeship pathway (It Project Manager with a median wage of $171,200/yr) connects to Computer Networking careers, offering a paid training alternative to the classroom model.

76 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
68
Low End
76
Score
78
High End
Earnings $42,875/yr (8% vs median)
AI-Proof Exposed (32% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (258,000 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$451K
1.1% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
110.4x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
10 of 10
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Program Tuition (In-State)
$4,080
Out-of-state: $10,920
Median Debt at Graduation
$14,750
4.1 months of Year 1 earnings

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Computer Networking graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Computer and information systems managers $171,200 +15.2% 47%
Computer and information research scientists $140,910 +19.7% 37%
Database architects $135,980 +8.7% 6%
Computer and information systems managers
$171,200
+15.2% growth 47% AI-proof
Computer and information research scientists
$140,910
+19.7% growth 37% AI-proof
Database architects
$135,980
+8.7% growth 6% AI-proof

View all 10 career paths with full salary data →

Computer Networking Career Guide

See the full career breakdown for Computer Networking — job titles, salary ranges, and growth projections for graduates from Houston Community College and 91 other schools.

Read the full Computer Networking career guide →

Compare & Explore

Computer Networking Overview

Computer Networking at Other Schools

Other Majors at Houston Community College

How Does a Bachelor's Degree Compare?

Four-year programs take longer but may unlock different career trajectories. See the data.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Computer Networking at Houston Community College?
A score of 76/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. Houston Community College's Computer Networking graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.
How vulnerable is Computer Networking to AI automation?
Our scenarios model 68% of Computer Networking tasks as AI-exposed. That doesn't mean job loss — it means role evolution. Houston Community College's 76/100 score weights this risk into the overall assessment.
Is there demand for Computer Networking workers?
The very large job market (258,000 annual openings) works in favor of Computer Networking graduates. The national outlook is driven by ongoing digital transformation and technology adoption, though regional variation matters.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →