Computer Systems Networking at Dallas College

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

with 41,815 students enrolled in Dallas, TX.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $40,807 track close to the $39,678 national median for Computer Systems Networking programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

With a 137.4x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

Career paths for Computer Systems Networking carry above-average AI exposure (68% of tasks). The 38% scenario spread means the difference between optimistic and pessimistic outcomes is substantial.

At #6 of 92 programs, this Computer Systems Networking program outperforms the majority of its peers. The top 10% ranking reflects consistently above-average outcomes.

The $40,807-to-$62,699 earnings arc over five years reflects a 54% gain — well above average career growth for trade school graduates.

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
65
Low End
77
Score
79
High End
Earnings $40,807/yr (3% vs median)
AI-Proof Exposed (32% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (258,000 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$693K
11.3% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
146.3x
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)
$4,740
Out-of-state: $12,000
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$62,699
54% 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 Dallas College

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 77/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Computer Systems Networking at Dallas College?
At 77/100, this is a high-performing trade program. The TradeSchoolOutlook Score combines earnings, AI resilience, and ROI — and this program delivers on all three.
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?
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 →