Computer and Information Sciences at Forsyth Technical Community College

Forsyth Tech's computer science associate's program sits in an uncomfortable middle position: it beats the national median by $3,000 but trails the North Carolina median by $2,000. More concerning, it falls significantly behind nearby community colleges—Wake Tech graduates earn $9,400 more annually, while Durham Tech's program delivers nearly $7,000 more. For a field where starting salaries typically drive long-term earnings potential, that 40th percentile ranking among North Carolina programs suggests students might find better value just an hour away.

The debt picture offers some reassurance. At $16,616, graduates carry manageable debt that's only slightly above state and national medians, resulting in a healthy 0.43 debt-to-earnings ratio. With 41% of students receiving Pell grants, the program clearly serves students who need affordable pathways into tech careers. The moderate sample size also means these numbers represent real, sustained outcomes rather than outliers.

Here's the practical consideration: if your child can commute to Forsyth Tech, the combination of reasonable debt and above-national-average earnings makes this a solid choice. But if relocation or a longer commute is already on the table, programs like Wake Tech or Durham Tech offer substantially better earnings for similar debt loads. The $2,000 annual gap versus the state median compounds quickly over a career, making it worth exploring whether those higher-performing programs are within reach.