Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering at Benedict College

Engineering credentials from Benedict College come with a significant unknown: both the earnings and debt figures here are national estimates rather than tracked outcomes from the school's own graduates. With just two schools in South Carolina offering this program, there's no state-wide estimate available, though Clemson's reported median of $68,363 provides one nearby data point. The national estimate of $64,675 suggests solid first-year technical earnings, but whether Benedict's program—serving a primarily Pell-eligible student body—actually delivers at this level remains unverified.

The estimated debt load of $27,000 sits above both the national median ($23,000) and South Carolina's ($20,500), though it remains manageable if those earnings materialize. A 0.42 debt-to-earnings ratio would be reasonable for an engineering degree. The concern is that this calculation rests entirely on assumptions drawn from other programs rather than Benedict's demonstrated track record of graduate employment and compensation in environmental engineering fields.

For families considering this investment, the lack of actual outcome data creates real planning risk. If your student is serious about engineering and you can afford Benedict's full cost structure without surprises, the broader field offers decent prospects. But if you're banking on specific salary figures to justify the expense, recognize you're essentially betting that Benedict's outcomes match national norms—a bet you can't verify beforehand.