Computer and Information Sciences at Fayetteville Technical Community College

Similar programs in North Carolina suggest that Fayetteville Technical's Computer and Information Sciences associate's degree launches graduates into the workforce earning around $41,000 in their first year—placing it near the state median but well behind top-performing community colleges like Wake Tech ($48,000) and Durham Tech ($46,000). With $15,000 in debt, graduates would owe roughly 37 cents for every dollar earned initially, a manageable burden that allows most to clear their debt within a few years if they stay in tech roles.

The four-year earnings data showing $45,000 suggests modest but steady growth, though this trajectory lags what graduates from the state's strongest programs typically achieve. The bigger question for an anxious parent is whether this program provides sufficient technical depth and employer connections to compete with graduates from Wake or Durham Tech, who seem to command higher starting salaries right out of the gate. The $7,000 gap between Fayetteville Tech's typical outcomes and Wake Tech's isn't trivial—that's nearly $30,000 in lost earnings over four years.

For a student focused on breaking into IT without a bachelor's degree, this program offers a low-risk entry point with debt that won't become crushing. But if your child can access one of the higher-performing programs elsewhere in the state—and if relocation is feasible—the earnings advantage may justify the extra effort to get there.