WhatGradsMake
Certificate (under 1 year)-17% vs national median170 grads tracked

Computer and Information Sciences, General at Palo Alto College

Ranked 27th of 37 certificate (under 1 year) programs in Computer and Information Sciences, General by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$38,509
middle 50%: $26,106 – $55,699
Median · 5 years out
$43,901
middle 50%: $29,067 – $61,147
Median · 10 years out
$56,249
middle 50%: $40,944 – $73,075

Salary trajectory

Median earnings vs the national median for Computer and Information Sciences, General (certificate (under 1 year)) graduates.

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

Graduates of Palo Alto College's certificate (under 1 year) program in Computer and Information Sciences, General earn a median $38,509 one year after graduating, rising to $56,249 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 17% below the national median of $52,636 for this field, ranking 27th of 37 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
9 yrs
≈ $10,340 total interest

Same major at other universities

University of Cincinnati
$51,223 · 5 yrs out
Tyler Junior College
$50,615 · 5 yrs out
Atlanta Metropolitan State College
$47,119 · 5 yrs out
Laurel Ridge Community College
$46,435 · 5 yrs out
Texarkana College
$44,849 · 5 yrs out
Lamar State College - Orange
$44,398 · 5 yrs out
South Plains College
$43,647 · 5 yrs out
Pueblo Community College
$43,317 · 5 yrs out
Western Texas College
$42,146 · 5 yrs out
El Paso Community College
$41,063 · 5 yrs out
Howard County Junior College District
$38,967 · 5 yrs out
Trinity Valley Community College
$38,279 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at Palo Alto College

Engineering (Associate)
$87,351 · 5 yrs out
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Certificate)
$64,834 · 5 yrs out
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Associate)
$62,224 · 5 yrs out
Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business Services (Associate)
$58,998 · 5 yrs out
Health/Medical Preparatory Programs (Associate)
$56,877 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Associate)
$56,272 · 5 yrs out
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies (Associate)
$55,746 · 5 yrs out
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other (Associate)
$55,746 · 5 yrs out
Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business Services (Certificate)
$55,181 · 5 yrs out
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Associate)
$54,286 · 5 yrs out
Marketing (Associate)
$53,921 · 5 yrs out
Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics (Associate)
$53,793 · 5 yrs out

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