Computer and Information Sciences at College of the Albemarle

Similar IT associate degree programs across North Carolina suggest graduates typically earn around $41,000 in their first year—a figure that places College of the Albemarle right at the state median. This estimated outcome sits comfortably above the national benchmark of $35,760, reflecting North Carolina's relatively strong tech job market. With estimated debt of about $15,300, graduates would face a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.38, meaning roughly five months of gross income to cover the full educational investment. That's a manageable threshold for an entry credential.

The challenge is uncertainty. Top-performing NC community colleges like Wake Tech and Durham Tech report significantly higher outcomes—reaching $45,000 to $48,000—but we don't know where College of the Albemarle actually falls in that spectrum. The school's relatively low Pell enrollment (19%) might suggest a different student profile than peer institutions, which could influence outcomes either way. What you're looking at here is essentially an educated guess based on how other NC community college IT programs perform, not tracked results from this specific program's graduates. For a two-year degree that keeps debt under $16,000, the risk seems contained, but confirming whether this program matches its peers' performance would require conversations with the school about graduate placement and local employer connections.