Computer Systems Networking at Austin Community College District

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

serving a student body of 25,969 in Austin, TX.

Program Analysis

Austin Community College District's Computer Systems Networking graduates start at $46,969/yr — above the $39,678 national average, though not by a wide margin.

The 143.6x 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 exposure is significant at 68% of job tasks, producing a 37% spread between best and worst-case decade earnings. The field isn't immune to disruption.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $10,550 in median debt clears fast against $46,969 in annual earnings.

Ranked #4 out of 92 programs, Austin Community College District's Computer Systems Networking program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

Earnings growth from $46,969 to $70,736 over five years (51% increase) indicates that graduates in this trade see meaningful 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.

80 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
68
Low End
80
Score
82
High End
Earnings $46,969/yr (18% vs median)
AI-Proof Exposed (32% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (258,000 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$777K
10.8% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
152.4x
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)
$5,100
Out-of-state: $21,180
Median Debt at Graduation
$10,550
2.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$70,736
51% 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 Austin Community College District

Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree

Weigh shorter time-to-career against higher earning ceilings. The numbers tell the story.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Computer Systems Networking at Austin Community College District?
This program scores 80/100 — 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.
Will AI affect Computer Systems Networking careers?
With 68% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $491,400 in decade earnings vs $777,103 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
How affordable is Computer Systems Networking at Austin Community College District?
At $10,550 in median debt, Computer Systems Networking graduates from Austin Community College District carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.2x is well below the trade program average.
Is Austin Community College District one of the best schools for Computer Systems Networking?
The #4 ranking out of 92 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable, and the job market supports this trade.
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 →