Computer Programming at Brunswick Community College

Based on peer programs nationwide, Brunswick Community College's Computer Programming associate's degree shows a manageable debt-to-earnings profile that should interest cost-conscious families. An estimated $17,750 in debt against first-year earnings around $38,000 creates a ratio of 0.47—meaning graduates would owe roughly half their annual income, a level many financial aid experts consider reasonable for a two-year technical credential. The estimated debt here sits slightly above the national median for similar programs, but not dramatically so.

The challenge is that these figures come entirely from comparable programs elsewhere, since Brunswick's graduate numbers are too small for the Department of Education to report actual outcomes. This means you're betting on your child replicating what graduates from other community college programming programs achieve, without knowing how Brunswick's specific curriculum, employer connections, or local job market perform. North Carolina has 17 schools offering this degree, but none have published outcome data either, which makes it impossible to gauge how this program stacks up regionally.

For families staying in coastal North Carolina where tech jobs may be limited, the portability of these skills matters. The affordability is appealing, but you'll want direct answers from Brunswick about job placement rates, internship partnerships, and whether graduates typically need to relocate or continue to a bachelor's degree to reach that estimated salary level.