Computer Systems Analysis: is this undergraduate certificate or diploma worth it?
National picture across 2 reporting college programs.
Personal baseline needed
$59,868 in median year-4 earnings
A credible return for this credential must start with what the student would otherwise earn. The federal data does not provide that personal baseline.
$59,868Median year-4 earnings
$3,815Average institution net-price context
$9,193Median federal debt
Observed national outcomes
$59,868Median reported earnings · year 4
$54,633Average reported earnings · year 5
$9,193Median federal debt
70thYear-4 earnings percentile at this credential
2Reporting programs
2With year-4 earnings
The same field can produce a different equation.
Keep the federal field fixed and compare observed outcomes at every reportable credential level. These are separate graduate cohorts—not a promise that more schooling causes the difference.
CURRENT VIEW
Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma
- Year-4 earnings
- $59,868
- Federal debt
- $9,193
- Reporting programs
- 2
Associate's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $64,704
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 2
Bachelor's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $71,675
- Federal debt
- $46,000
- Reporting programs
- 31
Post-baccalaureate Certificate
- Year-4 earnings
- $118,836
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 1
Master's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $116,041
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 4
Non-Credential Program (Preparatory Coursework/Teacher Certification)
- Year-4 earnings
- $46,213
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 1
Where the middle half of programs lands
Year‑4 earnings differ by college. This band shows the 25th percentile, national median and 75th percentile among reporting programs.
Median
25th percentile$50,384National median$59,86875th percentile$50,384
2 programs report year‑4 earnings.DECISION CHECK
What to compare before choosing a program
The national result is only the starting point. Price, debt and the college-level earnings spread can materially change the payoff.
See the spread, not just the national number.
1Indian River State College$50,384Observed year-4 earnings · top displayed records are not a universal ranking
Related occupations
Official CIP–SOC links add career context without claiming that every graduate enters the same job.
Computer Network ArchitectsSOC 15-1241 · 1 crosswalk linksComputer Network Support SpecialistsSOC 15-1231 · 1 crosswalk linksComputer Science Teachers, PostsecondarySOC 25-1021 · 1 crosswalk linksComputer Systems AnalystsSOC 15-1211 · 1 crosswalk linksDatabase ArchitectsSOC 15-1243 · 1 crosswalk linksSoftware Quality Assurance Analysts and TestersSOC 15-1253 · 1 crosswalk links
Same degree, different outcomes
Compare reported outcomes using the same federal field and credential. Automated ROI is withheld when an exact program price or personal earnings baseline is required.
| # | College | Location | Earnings, year 4 | Federal debt | ROI status | Cost context |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Indian River State CollegeUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Fort Pierce, FL | $50,384 | Not available | Baseline needed | $3,815 |
| 2 | California Technical AcademyUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | , | $69,351 | $9,193 | Baseline needed | Not available |
This page keeps the field and credential level fixed. Federal categories can still combine multiple catalog programs or concentrations. Automated ROI is limited to associate and bachelor’s degrees because institution-wide annual net price is not a reliable proxy for short certificate prices. ROI is an illustrative scenario, not a federal determination.