Computer Systems Networking at Ozarks Technical Community College

Springfield, MO · Public · Associate Degree · Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications

enrolling 8,194 students in Springfield, MO.

Program Analysis

Ozarks Technical Community College's Computer Systems Networking graduates start at $44,381/yr — above the $39,678 national average, though not by a wide margin.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 56.1x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Computer Systems Networking programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Computer Systems Networking's career paths, with 68% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 2% gap from the optimistic case.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $14,907 in median debt clears fast against $44,381 in annual earnings.

At #16 of 92 nationally, this is a top-5% Computer Systems Networking program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Five-year earnings of $46,949 are relatively flat compared to the $44,381 starting salary — typical of trades with stable but capped salary bands.

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.

70 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
62
Low End
70
Score
72
High End
Earnings $44,381/yr (12% vs median)
AI-Proof Exposed (32% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (258,000 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$473K
1.4% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
56.5x
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)
$8,368
Out-of-state: $13,744
Median Debt at Graduation
$14,907
4.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$46,949
6% 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 Ozarks Technical Community College

Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 70/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Computer Systems Networking at Ozarks Technical Community College?
At 70/100, this is a high-performing trade program. The TradeSchoolOutlook Score combines earnings, AI resilience, and ROI — and this program delivers on all three.
Will AI affect Computer Systems Networking careers?
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 Ozarks Technical Community College one of the best schools for Computer Systems Networking?
The #16 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?
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 →