Location: Sylva, NC•In-State Tuition: $5,806•Out-of-State Tuition: $19,630
Est. Earnings (1yr)
$36,198
Est. from NC median (6 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$12,625
Est. from NC median (7 programs)

Analysis

Computer and information sciences programs at North Carolina community colleges show dramatic variation in outcomes, with top performers like Wake Tech generating first-year earnings above $55,000 while others cluster in the mid-$30,000s. Based on comparable NC programs, Southwestern's certificate likely lands in that lower cluster—estimated earnings of $36,198 put graduates near the state median but well below what peer institutions in the Research Triangle achieve.

The estimated debt load of $12,625 isn't catastrophic at roughly one-third of first-year earnings, but it matters when those earnings sit at the lower end of what's possible in this field. Similar programs across North Carolina suggest graduates can service this debt, though it may take longer than it would for someone earning Wake Tech's premium. The 30% Pell grant rate indicates Southwestern serves a population where even modest debt carries weight.

What's concerning is the gap between Southwestern's estimated outcomes and what other NC community colleges achieve with the same credential. The $20,000 difference between estimated earnings here and Wake Tech's reported figures suggests either curricular differences, employer access, or regional labor market constraints in Sylva versus urban centers. For families in Western North Carolina seeking local options, this certificate could provide entry-level tech credentials—but students with flexibility should examine whether commuting or relocating to programs near Raleigh-Durham or Charlotte would materially improve their earnings trajectory enough to justify the disruption.

Where Southwestern Community College Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all computer and information sciences certificate's programs nationally

Southwestern Community College (estimated ±10%)Other computer and information sciences programs

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

Compare to Similar Programs in North Carolina

Computer and Information Sciences certificate's programs at peer institutions in North Carolina (59 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
Southwestern Community CollegeSylva$5,806$36,198*—$12,625*—
Wake Technical Community CollegeRaleigh$2,336$55,264*—$14,778*0.27
Durham Technical Community CollegeDurham$1,986$46,966*—$10,208*0.22
Guilford Technical Community CollegeJamestown$2,319$36,227*$38,780$20,000*0.55
Davidson-Davie Community CollegeThomasville$1,978$36,168*—$12,625*0.35
Rowan-Cabarrus Community CollegeSalisbury$2,064$34,853*$41,322$8,609*0.25
National Median—$38,858*—$11,000*0.28
* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with computer and information sciences 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

Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers

Develop and execute software tests to identify software problems and their causes. Test system modifications to prepare for implementation. Document software and application defects using a bug tracking system and report defects to software or web developers. Create and maintain databases of known defects. May participate in software design reviews to provide input on functional requirements, operational characteristics, product designs, and schedules.

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

Computer Network Architects

Design and implement computer and information networks, such as local area networks (LAN), wide area networks (WAN), intranets, extranets, and other data communications networks. Perform network modeling, analysis, and planning, including analysis of capacity needs for network infrastructures. May also design network and computer security measures. May research and recommend network and data communications hardware and software.

$130,390/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Telecommunications Engineering Specialists

Design or configure wired, wireless, and satellite communications systems for voice, video, and data services. Supervise installation, service, and maintenance.

$130,390/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Information Security Analysts

Plan, implement, upgrade, or monitor security measures for the protection of computer networks and information. Assess system vulnerabilities for security risks and propose and implement risk mitigation strategies. May ensure appropriate security controls are in place that will safeguard digital files and vital electronic infrastructure. May respond to computer security breaches and viruses.

$124,910/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Database Administrators

Administer, test, and implement computer databases, applying knowledge of database management systems. Coordinate changes to computer databases. Identify, investigate, and resolve database performance issues, database capacity, and database scalability. May plan, coordinate, and implement security measures to safeguard computer databases.

$123,100/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

Data Scientists

Develop and implement a set of techniques or analytics applications to transform raw data into meaningful information using data-oriented programming languages and visualization software. Apply data mining, data modeling, natural language processing, and machine learning to extract and analyze information from large structured and unstructured datasets. Visualize, interpret, and report data findings. May create dynamic data reports.

$112,590/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Business Intelligence Analysts

Produce financial and market intelligence by querying data repositories and generating periodic reports. Devise methods for identifying data patterns and trends in available information sources.

$112,590/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree
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 Southwestern Community College, approximately 30% 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 6 similar programs in NC. Actual outcomes may vary.