Computer and Information Sciences at Wake Technical Community College
Associate's Degree
Analysis
Wake Tech's computer science associate degree delivers first-year earnings of $48,280—about 35% higher than the national median and nearly 20% above North Carolina's already-solid state median. This performance stands out even more when you consider that 58 schools across North Carolina offer this program. Only Durham Tech produces higher earnings in the state, and Wake Tech beats well-regarded programs at Central Piedmont and Forsyth Tech by significant margins.
The debt picture reinforces the value proposition. At $17,698, graduates carry moderately more debt than state and national averages, but the 0.37 debt-to-earnings ratio means students can realistically pay this back within a year or two of full-time work. Given that Raleigh sits in the Research Triangle with abundant tech employers, these graduates are entering one of the strongest IT job markets in the Southeast.
For families looking at two-year tech programs in North Carolina, this is one of the clearest value plays available. The combination of strong employer connections, above-average earnings, and manageable debt makes Wake Tech a smart launching pad for a tech career—especially for students who want to start earning quickly or plan to transfer to a four-year program while working.
Where Wake Technical Community College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all computer and information sciences 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 Wake Technical Community College graduates compare to all programs nationally
Wake Technical Community College graduates earn $48k, placing them in the 94th percentile of all computer and information sciences associates 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)
| School | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wake Technical Community College | $48,280 | — | $17,698 | 0.37 |
| Durham Technical Community College | $45,847 | — | $9,667 | 0.21 |
| Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College | $41,027 | — | — | — |
| Central Piedmont Community College | $40,854 | $48,486 | $10,456 | 0.26 |
| Forsyth Technical Community College | $38,837 | — | $16,616 | 0.43 |
| Guilford Technical Community College | $37,728 | $33,792 | $22,713 | 0.60 |
| National Median | $35,760 | — | $14,932 | 0.42 |
Other Computer and Information Sciences Programs in North Carolina
Compare tuition, earnings, and debt across North Carolina schools
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Durham Technical Community College Durham | $1,986 | $45,847 | $9,667 |
| Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College Asheville | $2,882 | $41,027 | — |
| Central Piedmont Community College Charlotte | $2,792 | $40,854 | $10,456 |
| Forsyth Technical Community College Winston-Salem | $2,256 | $38,837 | $16,616 |
| Guilford Technical Community College Jamestown | $2,319 | $37,728 | $22,713 |
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 Wake Technical Community College, approximately 27% 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 54 graduates with reported earnings and 67 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.