Information Science/Studies at Coastal Carolina Community College

A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.34 sits in reasonable territory for a two-year technical degree, though both figures here are national estimates rather than outcomes specific to Coastal Carolina. Programs like this one typically produce first-year earnings around $39,000, which translates to borrowing roughly one-third of that first year's salary—manageable if graduates land steady IT support or database administration roles. The challenge is that Information Science at the associate level can mean vastly different things: some programs feed directly into help desk positions with clear career ladders, while others leave graduates competing for the same entry-level roles as applicants without degrees.

Jacksonville's proximity to Camp Lejeune creates a distinctive local job market with government contracting opportunities that don't exist in most college towns. If Coastal Carolina has built relationships with base contractors or offers curriculum aligned with DOD cybersecurity frameworks, that could justify choosing this program over peers. Without school-specific placement data, though, you're evaluating blind. The 31% Pell population suggests this isn't primarily serving traditional students—many may be military-connected adults seeking credential upgrades, which could mean stronger employment outcomes than the estimates suggest. Before committing, nail down where recent graduates actually work and whether the program has Defense Department certifications that matter for local employers.