WhatGradsMake
Certificate (under 1 year)-11% vs national median64 grads tracked

Computer Software and Media Applications at Southwestern Illinois College

Ranked 18th of 24 certificate (under 1 year) programs in Computer Software and Media Applications by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$40,342
middle 50%: $23,578 – $59,848
Median · 5 years out
$46,207
middle 50%: $28,036 – $63,769
Median · 10 years out
$61,121
middle 50%: $38,377 – $90,933

Salary trajectory

Median earnings vs the national median for Computer Software and Media Applications (certificate (under 1 year)) graduates.

This program (median)National median, same major & degreeMiddle 50% of graduates

Graduates of Southwestern Illinois College's certificate (under 1 year) program in Computer Software and Media Applications earn a median $40,342 one year after graduating, rising to $61,121 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 11% below the national median of $52,031 for this field, ranking 18th of 24 reporting programs.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau PSEO, release V4.13.0 2025Q4. Earnings are for graduates working in covered states; figures are medians in nominal dollars.

Will the degree pay for itself?

Drag the sliders — payback uses this program's actual salary curve.

Assumes a 6.5% APR loan and this program's median salary trajectory (interpolated between years 1, 5 and 10).

Paid off in
8.4 yrs
≈ $9,684 total interest

Same major at other universities

Elgin Community College
$54,615 · 5 yrs out
Parkland College
$54,051 · 5 yrs out
Portland Community College
$52,031 · 5 yrs out
Tidewater Community College
$49,855 · 5 yrs out
Illinois Central College
$48,487 · 5 yrs out
Salt Lake Community College
$46,663 · 5 yrs out
Dallas College
$44,978 · 5 yrs out
Alexandria Technical and Community College
$43,047 · 5 yrs out
Davis Technical College
$43,047 · 5 yrs out
Northwest Vista College
$42,660 · 5 yrs out
Lewis and Clark Community College
$39,092 · 5 yrs out
Hocking Technical College
$37,285 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at Southwestern Illinois College

Fire Protection (Associate)
$99,192 · 5 yrs out
Computer Programming (Certificate)
$80,595 · 5 yrs out
Precision Production (Certificate)
$72,907 · 5 yrs out
Precision Metal Working (Certificate)
$72,907 · 5 yrs out
Fire Protection (Certificate)
$72,441 · 5 yrs out
Carpenters (Certificate)
$70,557 · 5 yrs out
Construction Trades (Associate)
$70,365 · 5 yrs out
Electrical and Power Transmission Installers (Associate)
$69,946 · 5 yrs out
Computer Programming (Associate)
$69,154 · 5 yrs out
Construction Trades (Certificate)
$68,650 · 5 yrs out
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Associate)
$68,526 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Certificate)
$67,570 · 5 yrs out

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