Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications at Alamance Community College

A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.37 is strong territory for an associate degree, and while the exact figures come from national peer programs rather than Alamance's own graduates, the fundamental math works in students' favor. Similar networking and telecommunications programs nationally suggest first-year earnings around $43,000 against estimated debt of $15,800—meaning graduates could theoretically pay off their loans in under five months if they devoted their entire first-year salary to it. That's a sustainable financial picture for entering a field with genuine workforce demand.

The challenge is that with 28 schools offering this program in North Carolina and none reporting actual outcomes data, you're navigating with limited visibility. Networking credentials can lead to stable IT support roles, but the field increasingly favors hands-on experience and industry certifications (CompTIA, Cisco) that students might pursue alongside or instead of formal degrees. The 25% Pell grant rate suggests Alamance serves a modest proportion of lower-income students, but without school-specific data, it's hard to know whether local employer connections or program quality justify choosing this path over cheaper certification routes or programs at institutions with transparent outcomes.

For parents weighing this investment, the estimated numbers suggest reasonable value if your student is committed to IT infrastructure work. But contact the program directly to understand job placement rates, which certifications are included, and what local employers actually hire from this cohort—information that matters more than estimated national medians.