Civil Engineering at Benedict College

Based on comparable civil engineering programs in South Carolina, Benedict graduates can expect first-year earnings around $69,386—right in line with what students earn from USC and Clemson. With estimated debt of $27,000, the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.39 suggests manageable repayment, particularly for an engineering degree that typically commands solid starting salaries. What's remarkable here is that a smaller college serving a predominantly first-generation student population (63% receive Pell grants) appears to produce outcomes competitive with the state's flagship universities.

The caveat is that these figures are estimates drawn from peer programs because Benedict's graduate cohort is too small for the Department of Education to publish actual data. That small sample size could mean the program is newly established or has limited enrollment—worth investigating directly with the school. Still, civil engineering credentials tend to be standardized through ABET accreditation, and the job market for entry-level engineers is relatively consistent across institutions.

For parents weighing this option, the estimated numbers suggest Benedict could offer a cost-effective path into engineering, especially for students who might thrive in a smaller program environment. However, confirm the program's accreditation status, ask about graduation rates, and if possible, request contact information for recent alumni to verify whether these peer-program projections hold true.