Computer Systems Networking at South Puget Sound Community College

Olympia, WA · Public · Associate Degree · Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications

a smaller institution with 2,692 students in Olympia, WA.

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $43,380/yr, edging above the $39,678 national average for Computer Systems Networking — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand for this trade.

The 44.5x 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 0% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Computer Systems Networking graduates.

Ranked #25 out of 92 programs, South Puget Sound Community College's Computer Systems Networking offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

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.

66 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
59
Low End
66
Score
68
High End
Earnings $43,380/yr (9% vs median)
AI-Proof Exposed (32% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (258,000 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$456K
1.1% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
44.7x
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)
$10,206
Out-of-state: $11,274

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 South Puget Sound Community College

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

Compare how bachelor's degree graduates fare on earnings, ROI, and AI resilience.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Computer Systems Networking at South Puget Sound Community College?
This program scores 66/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Computer Systems Networking graduates.
How vulnerable is Computer Systems Networking to AI automation?
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.
Is there demand for Computer Systems Networking workers?
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 →