Analysis
North Carolina's community college IT programs show a wide earnings spread, and Nash's estimated outcomes land squarely in the middle. Based on comparable programs across the state, graduates here can expect roughly $41,000 in first-year earnings against about $15,300 in debt—a manageable 0.38 ratio that suggests the degree pays for itself within the first year of work. That's a solid foundation for entry-level tech positions, though it's worth noting that Wake Tech and Durham Tech graduates are pulling down significantly more, suggesting location and employer connections matter considerably in this field.
The challenge is that we're working with estimates here rather than Nash's actual graduate outcomes. The DOE suppressed this program's specific data due to small cohort sizes, so we're inferring from peer programs statewide. What we do know: Nash serves a substantial population of Pell-eligible students (29%), and the estimated debt burden is reasonable for a two-year credential that meets the national median for computer science associate's degrees.
For families in the Rocky Mount area, this represents affordable access to tech training with estimated outcomes that at least match state and national norms. The real question is whether your student can leverage this degree into the higher-earning positions that other NC community colleges are producing—something that likely depends on internship opportunities, job placement support, and willingness to relocate to larger tech hubs.
Where Nash Community College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all computer and information sciences associates's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in North Carolina
Computer and Information Sciences associates's programs at peer institutions in North Carolina (58 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $2,883 | $40,854* | — | $15,337* | — | |
| $2,336 | $48,280* | — | $17,698* | 0.37 | |
| $1,986 | $45,847* | — | $9,667* | 0.21 | |
| $2,882 | $41,027* | — | —* | — | |
| $2,792 | $40,854* | $48,486 | $10,456* | 0.26 | |
| $2,256 | $38,837* | — | $16,616* | 0.43 | |
| National Median | — | $35,760* | — | $14,932* | 0.42 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with computer and information sciences graduates
Computer and Information Systems Managers
Computer and Information Research Scientists
Software Developers
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers
Computer Network Architects
Telecommunications Engineering Specialists
Information Security Analysts
Database Administrators
Database Architects
Data Warehousing Specialists
Data Scientists
Business Intelligence Analysts
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 Nash Community College, approximately 29% 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 median of 7 similar programs in NC. Actual outcomes may vary.