Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians at Guilford Technical Community College
Associate's Degree
Analysis
Guilford Technical's audiovisual communications program graduates start at $28,287—well above the national median of $22,790 for this field and exactly at North Carolina's median. That puts graduates in the 80th percentile nationally, though right in the middle pack among NC's 13 programs. The modest $20,251 debt load (below the national median) translates to a manageable 0.72 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates can expect to earn back their student debt in under nine months.
The concerning part is what happens next: virtually no earnings growth. Four years out, graduates are making just $260 more annually than they started. For a technical field, that's unusual—you'd expect skills and experience to translate into better pay over time. This suggests either limited advancement opportunities or that the entry-level ceiling in this field is the actual ceiling.
Given the small sample size here, these numbers warrant extra scrutiny. But if they hold, this looks like a program that gets you employed quickly at a decent wage relative to debt, making it a reasonable choice if you want to enter the workforce immediately and can live on roughly $28,000 annually long-term. Just don't count on your salary climbing much as you gain experience.
Where Guilford Technical Community College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all audiovisual communications technologies/technicians associates's programs nationally
Programs in the upper-left quadrant (high earnings, low debt) offer the best value. Programs in the lower-right quadrant warrant careful consideration.
Earnings Distribution
How Guilford Technical Community College graduates compare to all programs nationally
Guilford Technical Community College graduates earn $28k, placing them in the 80th percentile of all audiovisual communications technologies/technicians associates programs nationally.
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
Earnings trajectories vary significantly. Some programs show strong early returns that plateau; others start lower but accelerate. Consider where you want to be at year 4, not just year 1.
Compare to Similar Programs in North Carolina
Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians associates's programs at peer institutions in North Carolina (13 total in state)
| School | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guilford Technical Community College | $28,287 | $28,547 | $20,251 | 0.72 |
| National Median | $22,790 | — | $18,247 | 0.80 |
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Guilford Technical Community College, approximately 41% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Sample Size: Based on 27 graduates with reported earnings and 25 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.