North Carolina State University at Raleigh 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.
| North Carolina State University at Raleigh Raleigh, NC | Wake Technical Community College Raleigh, NC | |
|---|---|---|
| ROI verdict | Strong return | Poor return |
| 10-year ROI | +249% | -113% |
| 10-year net gain | $190,406 | $-24,711 |
| Median earnings (5 yr) | $71,695 | $44,718 |
| Median earnings (1 yr) | $46,981 | $35,478 |
| Average net price | $17,303 | $8,759 |
| Median debt | $20,121 | $12,000 |
| Break-even | 2.9 yrs | — |
| Graduation rate | 85% | — |
| Admission rate | 42% | — |
North Carolina State University at Raleigh
Strong return
+$190,406 over 10 years
Graduate earnings clearly outpace the cost and debt — this degree pays back quickly.
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.