Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies at Forsyth Technical Community College

Forsyth Tech's automotive program lags behind most alternatives in North Carolina, with graduates earning $31,633—about $8,000 less than the state median and placing in just the 25th percentile statewide. That gap is significant: nearby Guilford Technical Community College's graduates earn $42,264, while Davidson-Davie (also a community college) hits the state median of $39,326. The program underperforms nationally as well, sitting in the 27th percentile. With 46 automotive programs across North Carolina, this is among the weaker options for career preparation.

The debt load of $10,840 is manageable relative to first-year earnings, yielding a 0.34 ratio that suggests graduates can handle their payments. That's actually below North Carolina's typical debt for this field ($14,243), which is a plus. However, the limited sample size—fewer than 30 graduates—means these numbers could shift considerably with more data. The program serves a high-need population (41% receive Pell grants), which is admirable, but that doesn't change the outcome comparison.

If your child is set on automotive technology in the Winston-Salem area, explore Guilford Tech as an alternative that delivers substantially better earnings outcomes. The modest debt here won't sink anyone financially, but starting $10,000+ behind peers from other NC community colleges means a slower path to financial stability in an already modest-paying field.