Computer and Information Sciences at Guilford Technical Community College

Guilford Technical's computer science certificate produces earnings that tell two different stories depending on your reference point. While graduates earn below the national median for similar programs, they actually perform above the median for North Carolina certificate programs in this field. That 60th percentile state ranking matters more than the national comparison—most students will be competing in the local job market, where these earnings are competitive with peer institutions.

The bigger advantage here is debt. At $20,000, Guilford Tech students borrow significantly more than the typical certificate program nationally ($11,000), but here's the critical context: that debt level sits in just the 5th percentile nationally, meaning 95% of similar programs leave students with less debt. However, with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.55, graduates can realistically pay this down within a few years if they're disciplined. The modest 7% earnings growth to $38,780 by year four suggests stable employment rather than rapid career advancement.

For families weighing this option, recognize that while Wake Tech and Durham Tech graduates earn $15,000-20,000 more annually, Guilford Tech delivers middle-of-the-pack outcomes for North Carolina at a manageable debt load. If your student can access one of the higher-performing community college programs nearby, that gap is worth the commute. If not, this certificate provides a practical entry point into IT work without gambling on unmanageable debt.