Location: Marion, NC•In-State Tuition: $1,958•Out-of-State Tuition: $6,566
Est. Earnings (1yr)
$38,906
Est. from national median (11 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$13,125
Est. from national median (11 programs)

Analysis

Based on peer programs nationally, an Information Science associate's degree carries about $13,125 in debt and leads to first-year earnings around $38,900. That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.34 falls comfortably within what financial experts consider manageable—you'd be looking at monthly loan payments that shouldn't overwhelm an entry-level IT salary. With 37% of McDowell Tech students receiving Pell grants, this program serves many families seeking affordable pathways into technology fields.

The challenge here is uncertainty. These estimates come from just 11 similar programs nationwide because most schools—including all 25 North Carolina institutions offering this degree—had too few graduates to report outcomes publicly. That's not a red flag about McDowell Tech specifically, but it means you're betting on a less-traveled path. Information science sits somewhere between general IT support and specialized tech roles, and without actual graduate outcomes from this program, you can't know whether McDowell Tech's curriculum and employer connections translate into jobs that match those national figures.

The practical approach: verify what "information science" means in McDowell Tech's curriculum and where recent graduates actually landed jobs. If it's heavy on practical skills like database management or network administration, and if local employers in the Marion area hire from the program, the modest debt burden makes this a reasonable community college investment. But don't assume the estimated earnings will materialize without doing that homework first.

Where McDowell Technical Community College Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all information science/studies associates's programs nationally

McDowell Technical Community College (estimated ±10%)Other information science/studies programs

Dashed lines show national medians. Upper-left = best value.

Compare to Similar Programs Nationally

Information Science/Studies associates's programs at top institutions nationally

Scroll to see more →

SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
McDowell Technical Community CollegeMarion$1,958$38,906*—$13,125*—
Ivy Tech Community CollegeIndianapolis$4,912$54,649*$48,269$13,475*0.25
University of Massachusetts-LowellLowell$16,570$52,706*—$17,355*0.33
Cuyahoga Community College DistrictCleveland$3,736$45,238*$54,104$17,629*0.39
Clayton State UniversityMorrow$5,068$43,702*—$35,925*0.82
ITI Technical CollegeBaton Rouge$11,711$39,046*—$19,110*0.49
National Median—$38,906*—$13,300*0.34
* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with information science/studies graduates

Computer and Information Systems Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as electronic data processing, information systems, systems analysis, and computer programming.

$171,200/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Computer and Information Research Scientists

Conduct research into fundamental computer and information science as theorists, designers, or inventors. Develop solutions to problems in the field of computer hardware and software.

$140,910/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Software Developers

Research, design, and develop computer and network software or specialized utility programs. Analyze user needs and develop software solutions, applying principles and techniques of computer science, engineering, and mathematical analysis. Update software or enhance existing software capabilities. May work with computer hardware engineers to integrate hardware and software systems, and develop specifications and performance requirements. May maintain databases within an application area, working individually or coordinating database development as part of a team.

$131,450/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Database Architects

Design strategies for enterprise databases, data warehouse systems, and multidimensional networks. Set standards for database operations, programming, query processes, and security. Model, design, and construct large relational databases or data warehouses. Create and optimize data models for warehouse infrastructure and workflow. Integrate new systems with existing warehouse structure and refine system performance and functionality.

$123,100/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Data Warehousing Specialists

Design, model, or implement corporate data warehousing activities. Program and configure warehouses of database information and provide support to warehouse users.

$123,100/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Web and Digital Interface Designers

Design digital user interfaces or websites. Develop and test layouts, interfaces, functionality, and navigation menus to ensure compatibility and usability across browsers or devices. May use web framework applications as well as client-side code and processes. May evaluate web design following web and accessibility standards, and may analyze web use metrics and optimize websites for marketability and search engine ranking. May design and test interfaces that facilitate the human-computer interaction and maximize the usability of digital devices, websites, and software with a focus on aesthetics and design. May create graphics used in websites and manage website content and links.

$95,380/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Video Game Designers

Design core features of video games. Specify innovative game and role-play mechanics, story lines, and character biographies. Create and maintain design documentation. Guide and collaborate with production staff to produce games as designed.

$95,380/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in computer science. May specialize in a field of computer science, such as the design and function of computers or operations and research analysis. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Computer Occupations, All Other

All computer occupations not listed separately.

Web Administrators

Manage web environment design, deployment, development and maintenance activities. Perform testing and quality assurance of web sites and web applications.

Geographic Information Systems Technologists and Technicians

Assist scientists or related professionals in building, maintaining, modifying, or using geographic information systems (GIS) databases. May also perform some custom application development or provide user support.

Document Management Specialists

Implement and administer enterprise-wide document management systems and related procedures that allow organizations to capture, store, retrieve, share, and destroy electronic records and documents.

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 McDowell Technical Community College, approximately 37% 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.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the national median of 11 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.