Health and Medical Administrative Services at Wake Technical Community College

Wake Tech graduates start strong in this medical administration program, earning about $4,000 above the state median and outperforming 60% of similar North Carolina programs. The bigger challenge is what happens next: earnings actually drop to $31,626 by year four, wiping out that initial advantage. This downward trajectory is unusual and suggests graduates may be landing in entry-level medical office positions that don't lead to advancement, or they're switching to different roles altogether.

The debt picture offers some relief. At $31,304, borrowing here is lower than 83% of similar programs nationally, and the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.88 means graduates can realistically manage their loans if they maintain full-time employment. However, that declining salary pattern means the debt burden feels heavier over time rather than lighter. For context, graduates from Durham Tech's program—just 20 miles away—earn $38,000 starting out and likely maintain better salary trajectories.

This program gets students employed quickly in healthcare settings, which has value in Raleigh's growing medical sector. But parents should understand they're paying for job access more than career growth. If your student is using this as a stepping stone to a bachelor's degree or specialized certification, the investment makes sense. If they plan to stop at the associate's, the stagnant earnings deserve serious consideration.