Appalachian State University vs Wake Technical Community College
A side-by-side look at cost, graduate earnings, debt and return on investment. The better figure in each row is highlighted.
| Appalachian State University Boone, NC | Wake Technical Community College Raleigh, NC | |
|---|---|---|
| ROI verdict | Break-even | Poor return |
| 10-year ROI | +39% | -113% |
| 10-year net gain | $29,194 | $-24,711 |
| Median earnings (5 yr) | $55,391 | $44,718 |
| Median earnings (1 yr) | $38,305 | $35,478 |
| Average net price | $16,836 | $8,759 |
| Median debt | $20,231 | $12,000 |
| Break-even | 7.2 yrs | — |
| Graduation rate | 75% | — |
| Admission rate | 90% | — |
Appalachian State University
Break-even
+$29,194 over 10 years
The payoff is roughly break-even — the degree recovers its cost, but slowly.
Wake Technical Community College
Poor return
$-24,711 over 10 years
On these figures the cost and debt outweigh the earnings premium.
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard. ROI is computed by Degree Return — see how. Read the methodology. Data as of 2024.