Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management at Fayetteville Technical Community College

A debt load around $12,000 for a certificate program—based on what similar community colleges report—looks manageable against first-year earnings that peer programs nationally suggest hit around $42,000. That 0.28 debt-to-earnings ratio falls comfortably below the rule-of-thumb threshold where debt becomes burdensome, and you're looking at roughly three to four months of gross salary to pay off the credential.

The challenge here is that these estimates come from a small national sample of comparable certificate programs, not from Fayetteville Tech's actual graduates in this field. North Carolina has nine schools offering this certificate, but none with publicly reported outcomes, which makes it harder to assess how well this specific program performs locally. The national figure of $42,271 represents the middle of the pack among 684 programs—not exceptional, but reasonable for a certificate that can be completed quickly and positions graduates for entry-level IT support or help desk roles.

For parents weighing this investment, the low debt estimate is the strongest signal. Even if actual earnings come in several thousand dollars below the national benchmark, the financial risk remains limited. The real question is whether a certificate alone provides enough credibility in North Carolina's job market, or whether your student would need additional credentials down the line. Given Fayetteville Tech's 34% Pell grant population, this program likely serves students seeking quick workforce entry—which makes sense if that matches your family's timeline and goals.