Health and Medical Administrative Services at Wake Technical Community College

Based on similar healthcare administration programs in North Carolina, graduates typically earn around $38,400 in their first year—notably below the $44,345 national median for this bachelor's degree. The estimated $26,000 debt load produces a 0.68 debt-to-earnings ratio, which means roughly eight months of gross income would cover the degree cost. That's manageable, but the earnings gap is worth examining closely. UNC-Chapel Hill's program yields $50,000 first-year earnings, while other NC options like Campbell and East Carolina cluster near this estimate, suggesting Wake Tech's bachelor's program may align with the state's middle tier rather than top performers.

The challenge here is the bachelor's credential itself. Healthcare administration bachelor's degrees across North Carolina show considerable variation—from nearly $50,000 down to the high $30,000s—and without actual graduate outcomes from Wake Tech specifically, you're working from peer program estimates. For a community college offering a four-year degree, the value proposition depends heavily on whether students are transferring in credits or starting fresh. If your child already has an associate degree and can complete this affordably, the debt level is reasonable. Starting from scratch, however, means competing against established universities for the same healthcare administration roles.

The practical takeaway: compare Wake Tech's total cost against universities like East Carolina or Campbell, which show similar first-year earnings but may offer stronger employer recognition. If the savings are substantial and your child prefers the community college environment, the estimated debt burden won't be crushing—but confirm whether this bachelor's program has the healthcare industry connections to match what larger schools provide.