Computer Systems Networking at Madison Area Technical College

Madison, WI · Public · Associate Degree · Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications

enrolling 9,273 students in Madison, WI.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $65,324 put Madison Area Technical College's Computer Systems Networking program 65% above the national median of $39,678 — one of the higher-earning programs in this field.

With a 71.5x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 0% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Computer Systems Networking career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

At #7 of 92 programs, this Computer Systems Networking program outperforms the majority of its peers. The top 10% ranking reflects consistently above-average outcomes.

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

77 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
70
Low End
77
Score
80
High End
Earnings $65,324/yr (65% vs median)
AI-Proof Exposed (32% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (258,000 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$686K
1.1% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
71.8x
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)
$9,560
Out-of-state: $14,054

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 Madison Area Technical College

Explore the Degree Alternative

Not sure if a trade program or four-year degree fits better? Compare both paths.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Madison Area Technical College's Computer Systems Networking program score?
This program scores 77/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Computer Systems Networking nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, hands-on AI resilience, and solid financial return.
Should I worry about AI if I study Computer Systems Networking?
AI won't 'replace' Computer Systems Networking careers outright, but it is likely to reduce job openings. We model 68% task exposure, which compresses employment probability in our scenarios.
How many job openings are there for Computer Systems Networking graduates?
With approximately 258,000 annual openings across mapped careers, Computer Systems Networking offers a very large employment pool. Physical trades tend to have steady demand driven by infrastructure and construction cycles.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →