Computer Systems Networking at Pierpont Community and Technical College

Fairmont, WV · Public · Associate Degree · Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications

a compact campus enrolling 906 students in Fairmont, WV.

Program Analysis

Pierpont Community and Technical College's Computer Systems Networking graduates start at $33,590/yr, trailing the $39,678 national average by 15%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 49.3x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Computer Systems Networking programs nationally.

The 40% gap between optimistic and pessimistic AI scenarios is notable. With 68% of typical tasks exposed to automation, AI adoption could meaningfully shift career outcomes for Computer Systems Networking graduates.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $12,000 in median debt clears fast against $33,590 in annual earnings.

At #33 of 92 Computer Systems Networking programs, Pierpont Community and Technical College scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Five-year earnings of $59,345 show a 77% jump from the $33,590 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration in this trade.

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.

62 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
50
Low End
62
Score
65
High End
Earnings $33,590/yr (-15% vs median)
AI-Proof Exposed (32% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (258,000 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$589K
12.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
52.7x
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)
$11,188
Out-of-state: $26,524
Median Debt at Graduation
$12,000
4.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$59,345
77% 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 Pierpont Community and Technical 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 62/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Computer Systems Networking at Pierpont Community and Technical College?
A score of 62/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Computer Systems Networking field.
Should I worry about AI if I study Computer Systems Networking?
With 68% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $351,425 in decade earnings vs $589,464 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Why are Computer Systems Networking earnings lower at Pierpont Community and Technical College?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
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 →