Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications at State Technical College of Missouri
MO · Associate's Degree · CIP 11.09
Executive Summary
Graduates with a Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications degree from State Technical College of Missouri earn a median salary of $48,943 within five years of graduation. Adjusted for the cost of living in MO, this represents a national purchasing power equivalent of $54,869. The degree typically pays for itself in 11.5 years.
Quick Insights
How this degree looks at a glance
A fast read on salary range, break-even speed, living-cost impact, and where graduates from this school usually land.
Salary Ranges
Starting Range
$41,100
Typical Career
$48,943
Top Performers
$62,548
Estimated break-even: 11.5 years.
Debt-to-Income Check
$326
Estimated comfortable monthly loan payment
Typical monthly pay is approximately $4,079. Most students can comfortably afford about a $326 monthly loan payment with this degree.
Comparison Bench
This degree earns 1.3x more than the average US high school graduate and 0.6x more than the average college graduate.
Purchasing Power Context
A dollar in Missouri buys what costs $0.89 nationally.
Industry Breadcrumbs
Top industries for bachelor's graduates from this school: Manufacturing, Construction, Wholesale Trade.
Where Associate's Graduates from This School Work
Institution-wide industry mix for graduates, 5 years after graduation. This is not major-specific. Source: Census PSEO Flows.
5-Year Median Salary — National Purchasing Power Equivalent
$54,869
Nominal: $48,943 in Missouri (COL 89.2% of national avg) · 12.1% higher purchasing power
10-Year Earnings Curve
Break-Even Timeline
How long until cumulative earnings advantage exceeds total college investment (tuition + opportunity cost vs. entering workforce directly after high school).
Total Investment
$155,168
4yr tuition + 4yr opportunity cost
HS Graduate Baseline
$38,792/yr
BLS 2023 median, HS diploma
View Raw Data: Median Earnings by Year
| Timeframe | 25th Pct. | Median (50th) | 75th Pct. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Year After Graduation | $30,261 | $39,063 | $47,966 |
| 5 Years After Graduation | $41,100 | $48,943 | $62,548 |
| 10 Years After Graduation | $53,288 | $63,214 | $80,101 |
Source: US Census Bureau Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes (PSEO), 2025 release. Earnings shown for Bachelor's degree graduates (all cohorts combined).
How We Calculate Purchasing Power
The median salary of $48,943 is reported by the US Census Bureau's Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes (PSEO) dataset for graduates working in MO, which has a cost-of-living index of 89.2% of the national average.
Formula: Adjusted Salary = Nominal × (1.0 ÷ COL Index)
= $48,943 × (1.0 ÷ 0.8920)
= $54,869 National Average equivalent.
COL index source: BLS Regional Consumer Price Index & MIT Living Wage Project, 2023. Full methodology →
Career Verdict
The program prepares students for diverse career opportunities, with the top industries being Construction (32.8%), Manufacturing (15.4%), and another segment of Manufacturing (14.8%). The estimated break-even point for graduates compared to those who only complete high school is approximately 11.5 years, suggesting a reasonable return on investment for those pursuing this educational path. Overall, the program offers a solid foundation for career advancement and financial stability in the long term.
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Data sources: US Census Bureau Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes (PSEO). Cost-of-living index: BLS Regional CPI & MIT Living Wage Project. Cost of attendance: IPEDS. For informational use only; data may be suppressed for small cohort sizes.