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Computer Science at Wake Technical Community College

Raleigh, NC · Public · Associate Degree · Computer and Information Sciences, General

enrolling 18,605 students in Raleigh, NC.

Program Analysis

At $48,280 per year, Computer Science 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 Science 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 Science 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 Science 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 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

Computer Science opens doors to multiple career tracks. Our pillar guide covers every mapped occupation with salary data and AI resilience ratings.

Read the full Computer Science career guide →

Compare & Explore

Computer Science Overview

View all 109 schools offering Computer Science →

Computer Science at Other Schools

Colorado State University Global ($61,737) Des Moines Area Community College ($60,163) University of Nebraska at Omaha ($58,750) Salt Lake Community College ($57,428) Salt Lake Community College ($55,961) Southeast Community College Area ($55,738) Front Range Community College ($53,219) Southern Careers Institute-Austin ($52,079)

Other Majors at Wake Technical Community College

Nursing ($68,266) Allied Health Professions ($51,707) Accounting ($44,616) Accounting ($38,258) Business Administration ($37,124) Business Administration ($35,574) Health Administration ($35,381) Health Administration ($34,372)

How Does a Bachelor's Degree Compare?

Compare Computer Science degree programs on DegreeOutlook →

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Computer Science 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.
How vulnerable is Computer Science to AI automation?
AI exposure of 69% is a real factor. For Wake Technical Community College specifically, the gap between optimistic ($703,220) and pessimistic ($505,115) decade earnings reflects that uncertainty.
How affordable is Computer Science 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 Science?
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 Science?
There are 2 registered apprenticeships connected to Computer Science occupations, such as Data Scientist and It Project Manager. The earn-while-you-learn model means no tuition debt and immediate income, though the training period is typically longer.
Will Computer Science graduates from Wake Technical Community College find jobs?
With approximately 338,800 annual openings across mapped careers, Computer Science offers a very large employment pool. Wake Technical Community College graduates enter a market shaped by ongoing digital transformation and technology adoption.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →