Computer and Information Sciences, General at Fayetteville Technical Community College

Fayetteville, NC · Public · Certificate

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 and Information Sciences, General. 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 and Information Sciences, General 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 and Information Sciences, General 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 and Information Sciences, General 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 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 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 and Information Sciences, General at Fayetteville Technical Community College?
A score of 77/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. Fayetteville Technical Community College's Computer and Information Sciences, General graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.
How vulnerable is Computer and Information Sciences, General to AI automation?
With 69% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $336,401 in decade earnings vs $495,425 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Is Fayetteville Technical Community College one of the best schools for Computer and Information Sciences, General?
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 and Information Sciences, General 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.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Computer and Information Sciences, General graduates?
There are 2 registered apprenticeships connected to Computer and Information Sciences, General occupations. The earn-while-you-learn model means no tuition debt and immediate income, though the training period is typically longer.
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 →