Computer Science at Fayetteville Technical Community College

Fayetteville, NC · Public · Certificate · Computer and Information Sciences, General

serving 8,814 students in Fayetteville, NC.

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $32,154/yr fall 16% below the $38,485 national median for Computer Science. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

With a 179.4x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

Career paths for Computer Science carry above-average AI exposure (69% of tasks). The 32% scenario spread means the difference between optimistic and pessimistic outcomes is substantial.

Fayetteville Technical Community College ranks #27 among 109 Computer Science programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

A 43% earnings increase from $32,154 to $45,880 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

For students considering alternatives, 2 registered apprenticeship programs align with Computer Science careers — offering paid training instead of tuition costs.

77 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
66
Low End
77
Score
79
High End
Earnings $32,154/yr (-16% vs median)
AI-Proof Exposed (31% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (338,800 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$495K
9.3% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
188.5x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
14 of 14
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Program Tuition (In-State)
$2,628
Out-of-state: $8,772
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$45,880
43% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Computer Science graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Computer and information systems managers $171,200 +15.2% 47%
Computer and information research scientists $140,910 +19.7% 37%
Database architects $135,980 +8.7% 6%
Computer and information systems managers
$171,200
+15.2% growth 47% AI-proof
Computer and information research scientists
$140,910
+19.7% growth 37% AI-proof
Database architects
$135,980
+8.7% growth 6% AI-proof

View all 14 career paths with full salary data →

Computer Science Career Guide

From day-one roles to senior positions, Computer Science careers span a range of specializations. Read the complete outlook for graduates entering engineering & technology.

Read the full Computer Science career guide →

Compare & Explore

Computer Science Overview

Computer Science at Other Schools

Other Majors at Fayetteville Technical Community College

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

Compare how bachelor's degree graduates fare on earnings, ROI, and AI resilience.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Computer Science at Fayetteville Technical Community College?
A score of 77/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. Fayetteville Technical Community College's Computer Science graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.
How vulnerable is Computer Science to AI automation?
Our scenarios model 69% of Computer Science tasks as AI-exposed. That doesn't mean job loss — it means role evolution. Fayetteville Technical Community College's 77/100 score weights this risk into the overall assessment.
Is Fayetteville Technical Community College one of the best schools for Computer Science?
Ranked #27 of 109 programs nationally, Fayetteville Technical Community College lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Is Fayetteville Technical Community College a good choice for Computer Science despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If Fayetteville Technical Community College's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
Can I learn Computer Science through an apprenticeship instead of Fayetteville Technical Community College?
Beyond Fayetteville Technical Community College's classroom route, 2 registered apprenticeships map to Computer Science careers — including Data Scientist. Apprenticeships trade shorter program length for longer on-the-job training, typically 2-4 years.
Is there demand for Computer Science workers?
Job availability for Computer Science is strong — 338,800 positions open annually across the mapped career paths. For Fayetteville Technical Community College graduates specifically, local market conditions in NC may shift the picture.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →