Computer/Information Technology Administration at Southern Maine Community College

South Portland, ME · Public · Associate Degree · Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management

serving 5,279 students in South Portland, ME.

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $41,813/yr, roughly in line with the $43,065 national median for Computer/Information Technology Administration. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 68.3x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Computer/Information Technology Administration programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Computer/Information Technology Administration's career paths, with 68% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 19% gap from the optimistic case.

With first-year pay of $41,813 far exceeding the $13,549 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

At #20 of 132 nationally, this is a top-5% Computer/Information Technology Administration program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Earnings grow from $41,813 to $51,837 over five years — a 24% increase that's moderate and in line with typical trade career progression.

There are 2 registered apprenticeship pathways mapped to Computer/Information Technology Administration, including Health Information Management Privacy And Security Officer (median $136,550/yr). Apprenticeships offer an alternative route that combines paid work with structured training.

74 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
65
Low End
74
Score
77
High End
Earnings $41,813/yr (-3% vs median)
AI-Proof Exposed (32% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (386,000 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$539K
5.5% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
71.0x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
13 of 13
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)
$7,594
Out-of-state: $13,354
Median Debt at Graduation
$13,549
3.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$51,837
24% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Computer/Information Technology Administration graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Computer and information systems managers $171,200 +15.2% 47%
Managers, all other $136,550 +4.5% 53%
Database architects $135,980 +8.7% 6%
Computer and information systems managers
$171,200
+15.2% growth 47% AI-proof
Managers, all other
$136,550
+4.5% growth 53% AI-proof
Database architects
$135,980
+8.7% growth 6% AI-proof

View all 13 career paths with full salary data →

About Computer/Information Technology Administration Careers

Your career will likely begin on the front lines of IT. You’ll be the person an organization depends on, perhaps as a network administrator or support specialist, responding to urgent help tickets, troubleshooting network outages, or setting up new user accounts in an office or data center. It’s hands-on work solving immediate problems.

Read the full Computer/Information Technology Administration career guide →

Compare & Explore

Computer/Information Technology Administration Overview

Computer/Information Technology Administration at Other Schools

Other Majors at Southern Maine Community College

Explore the Degree Alternative

Not sure if a trade program or four-year degree fits better? Compare both paths.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 74/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Computer/Information Technology Administration at Southern Maine Community College?
A score of 74/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. Southern Maine Community College's Computer/Information Technology Administration graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.
Should I worry about AI if I study Computer/Information Technology Administration?
AI won't 'replace' Computer/Information Technology Administration careers outright, but it is likely to reduce job openings. We model 68% task exposure, which compresses employment probability in our scenarios.
What makes Southern Maine Community College's Computer/Information Technology Administration program stand out?
Ranked #20 of 132 programs nationally, Southern Maine Community College lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Can I learn Computer/Information Technology Administration through an apprenticeship instead?
Computer/Information Technology Administration connects to 2 apprenticeship pathways. These DOL-registered programs combine structured training with paid employment — a strong alternative for students who prefer hands-on learning over classroom instruction.
How many job openings are there for Computer/Information Technology Administration graduates?
The career paths mapped to Computer/Information Technology Administration have roughly 386,000 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 →