Computer Systems Networking at Indian Hills Community College

Ottumwa, IA · Public · Associate Degree · Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications

a compact campus enrolling 1,635 students in Ottumwa, IA.

Program Analysis

At $41,166/yr, Computer Systems Networking graduates from Indian Hills Community College land near the $39,678 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

The 58.8x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. Trade programs often deliver strong ratios, and this one is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 68% task exposure — and the 28% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Computer Systems Networking graduates.

The median debt load of $14,375 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.

Ranked #19 out of 92 programs, Indian Hills Community College's Computer Systems Networking program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $41,166 to $56,200 shows 37% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

Computer Systems Networking has a registered apprenticeship option through It Project Manager with a median wage of $171,200/yr — worth exploring for students who prefer structured on-the-job training.

69 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
58
Low End
69
Score
71
High End
Earnings $41,166/yr (4% vs median)
AI-Proof Exposed (32% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (258,000 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$599K
8.1% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
61.5x
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)
$9,744
Out-of-state: $12,240
Median Debt at Graduation
$14,375
4.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$56,200
37% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Computer Systems 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 →

About Computer Systems Networking Careers

You’ll likely start your career with hands-on work as a network support specialist, spending your days in server rooms racking equipment, running ethernet cable, and using command-line tools to diagnose connectivity problems. With a few years of experience, you can advance into high-demand specializations. You might become an information security analyst—a rapidly growing field—using software to hunt for threats and configure firewalls. Or you could become a network architect, designing the blueprints for a company’s entire cloud infrastructure in AWS or Azure.

Read the full Computer Systems Networking career guide →

Compare & Explore

Computer Systems Networking Overview

Computer Systems Networking at Other Schools

Other Majors at Indian Hills 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

How does Indian Hills Community College's Computer Systems Networking program score?
This program scores 69/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Computer Systems Networking graduates.
Should I worry about AI if I study Computer Systems Networking?
The 68% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
What makes Indian Hills Community College's Computer Systems Networking program stand out?
Ranked #19 of 92 programs nationally, Indian Hills Community College lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
How many job openings are there for Computer Systems Networking graduates?
The career paths mapped to Computer Systems Networking have roughly 258,000 combined annual openings nationally, making this a very large job market. Trade careers in this field benefit from consistent replacement demand as workers retire.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →