Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services at Fayetteville Technical Community College

Starting at $33,000 might feel underwhelming, but Fayetteville Tech's allied health program shows its real value in what happens next. That 28% earnings jump to $42,376 by year four—a nearly $10,000 increase—puts graduates roughly in line with the state's top-performing programs like Southwestern Community College. While first-year earnings lag behind both state and national medians, the trajectory matters more than the starting point here.

The debt picture offers another advantage. At $18,236, graduates owe about $4,000 less than the typical North Carolina student in this field and nearly $1,600 below the national average. That lighter debt load means the modest starting salary isn't as problematic—the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.55 is manageable, and by year four, earnings have grown substantially while the debt remains fixed. Among North Carolina's 47 programs, this ranks squarely in the middle, but the combination of below-average debt and above-average growth creates breathing room.

For families weighing community college options in North Carolina, Fayetteville Tech delivers a financially sensible path into allied health careers. You're trading a slower start for lower debt and strong mid-term earnings that eventually catch up to higher-ranked programs. The key is having realistic expectations about that first year and being committed to staying in the field long enough to reach the higher earnings tier.