Computer and Information Sciences at Central Carolina Community College

A short-term certificate in IT can be an economical entry point into tech work, and based on comparable programs across North Carolina, this path suggests first-year earnings around $36,000 against roughly $12,600 in debt. That's a manageable 0.35 debt-to-earnings ratio—you'd owe about four months' salary—which beats most bachelor's degree scenarios. The estimated figures align with the statewide median for similar community college programs, though they trail considerably behind what graduates from Wake Tech ($55,000) and Durham Tech ($47,000) are earning.

The challenge is that peer IT certificate programs in North Carolina show enormous variation in outcomes, from mid-$30,000s to mid-$50,000s in first-year pay. Some of this reflects local job markets—the Triangle has more tech employers than Sanford—but program focus and employer connections matter too. Without actual graduate data from Central Carolina specifically, you're making a bet that their curriculum and placement support will deliver results comparable to the state average rather than landing at the bottom of the range.

The debt estimate is reasonable for what you're getting—a quick credential rather than years of tuition—but the uncertainty around actual earnings makes this trickier to evaluate than programs with reported data. If your child needs a fast, affordable path into IT and plans to keep learning on the job, this could work. Just know you're relying on statewide patterns rather than this school's proven track record.