Computer and Information Sciences, General at Wake Technical Community College

Raleigh, NC · Public · Associate Degree

enrolling 18,605 students in Raleigh, NC.

Program Analysis

At $48,280 per year, Computer and Information Sciences, General graduates from Wake Technical Community College significantly outpace the $38,485 national average for this trade, reflecting strong employer demand for this program's graduates.

With a 144.1x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 28% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Computer and Information Sciences, General career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

The median debt load of $13,702 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.

Wake Technical Community College ranks #4 among 109 Computer and Information Sciences, General programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

A 37% earnings increase from $48,280 to $65,963 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 and Information Sciences, General careers — offering paid training instead of tuition costs.

84 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
73
Low End
84
Score
86
High End
Earnings $48,280/yr (25% vs median)
AI-Proof Exposed (31% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (338,800 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$703K
8.1% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
150.5x
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)
$4,672
Out-of-state: $15,164
Median Debt at Graduation
$13,702
3.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$65,963
37% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Computer and Information Sciences, General 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 →

About Computer and Information Sciences, General Careers

Your career in tech often begins on a team, perhaps as a software developer using languages like Python to build new app features, or as an information security analyst monitoring networks for threats with tools like Splunk. Entry-level roles focus on specific tasks like fixing bugs or responding to security alerts under supervision. With a few years of experience, you’ll take on more complex challenges, designing systems and mentoring others. Many progress to senior specialist roles or into management, leading teams and setting strategy as a Computer and Information Systems Manager.

Read the full Computer and Information Sciences, General career guide →

Compare & Explore

Computer and Information Sciences, General Overview

Computer and Information Sciences, General at Other Schools

Other Majors at Wake Technical Community College

How Does a Bachelor's Degree Compare?

Four-year programs take longer but may unlock different career trajectories. See the data.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Computer and Information Sciences, General at Wake Technical Community College?
At 84/100, this is a high-performing trade program. The TradeSchoolOutlook Score combines earnings, AI resilience, and ROI — and this program delivers on all three.
Will AI affect Computer and Information Sciences, General careers?
AI won't 'replace' Computer and Information Sciences, General careers outright, but it is likely to reduce job openings. We model 69% task exposure, which compresses employment probability in our scenarios.
How affordable is Computer and Information Sciences, General at Wake Technical Community College?
Median debt of just $13,702 against $48,280/yr in starting salary means graduates can clear their loans in under 3 months. This is one of the more affordable paths in our dataset.
Why does Wake Technical Community College rank so high for Computer and Information Sciences, General?
Ranked #4 of 109 programs nationally, Wake Technical Community College lands in the top 5%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Are there apprenticeship options for Computer and Information Sciences, General?
Yes — 2 registered apprenticeship programs are mapped to Computer and Information Sciences, General career paths, including Data Scientist. Apprenticeships offer paid on-the-job training as an alternative or complement to certificate programs.
How many job openings are there for Computer and Information Sciences, General graduates?
The career paths mapped to Computer and Information Sciences, General have roughly 338,800 combined annual openings nationally, making this a very large job market. Trade careers in this field benefit from consistent replacement demand as workers retire.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →