Computer and Information Sciences at Davidson-Davie Community College
Associate's Degree
Analysis
With IT jobs abundant in North Carolina's growing tech centers, Davidson-Davie Community College's computer science associate's degree lags behind what other North Carolina community colleges deliver. Graduates earn $35,638 their first year—landing in just the 40th percentile among NC programs and roughly $5,200 below the state median of $40,854. Nearby Wake Tech and Durham Tech graduates earn 35-40% more right out of the gate, suggesting this program isn't connecting students to the same employment opportunities despite North Carolina's strong tech market.
The debt load of $15,337 creates a manageable 0.43 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates owe less than half their first-year salary. That's reasonable for an associate's degree and matches the state median for similar programs. But when you're earning thousands less than peers at comparable community colleges while carrying similar debt, the investment equation tilts unfavorable.
For North Carolina families, this program represents a below-average outcome in a state with multiple stronger alternatives. If Davidson-Davie is the only local option, the debt remains affordable—but students willing to commute or relocate to schools like Wake Tech or Central Piedmont will likely see significantly better returns on the same two-year investment.
Where Davidson-Davie Community College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all computer and information sciences associates's programs nationally
Programs in the upper-left quadrant (high earnings, low debt) offer the best value. Programs in the lower-right quadrant warrant careful consideration.
Earnings Distribution
How Davidson-Davie Community College graduates compare to all programs nationally
Davidson-Davie Community College graduates earn $36k, placing them in the 48th percentile of all computer and information sciences associates programs nationally.
Compare to Similar Programs in North Carolina
Computer and Information Sciences associates's programs at peer institutions in North Carolina (58 total in state)
| School | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Davidson-Davie Community College | $35,638 | — | $15,337 | 0.43 |
| Wake Technical Community College | $48,280 | — | $17,698 | 0.37 |
| Durham Technical Community College | $45,847 | — | $9,667 | 0.21 |
| Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College | $41,027 | — | — | — |
| Central Piedmont Community College | $40,854 | $48,486 | $10,456 | 0.26 |
| Forsyth Technical Community College | $38,837 | — | $16,616 | 0.43 |
| National Median | $35,760 | — | $14,932 | 0.42 |
Other Computer and Information Sciences Programs in North Carolina
Compare tuition, earnings, and debt across North Carolina schools
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wake Technical Community College Raleigh | $2,336 | $48,280 | $17,698 |
| Durham Technical Community College Durham | $1,986 | $45,847 | $9,667 |
| Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College Asheville | $2,882 | $41,027 | — |
| Central Piedmont Community College Charlotte | $2,792 | $40,854 | $10,456 |
| Forsyth Technical Community College Winston-Salem | $2,256 | $38,837 | $16,616 |
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Davidson-Davie Community College, approximately 30% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Sample Size: Based on 36 graduates with reported earnings and 20 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.