Business/Commerce at Bob Jones University

A debt load near $24,500 for an associate's degree raises immediate questions, particularly when similar programs across South Carolina suggest first-year earnings around $35,000. That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.69 means graduates would owe roughly seven months of their gross income—manageable but not insignificant for a two-year credential. The real concern emerges when you compare this to national figures: business associate's programs nationwide typically leave students with about $13,400 in debt, nearly half what's estimated here.

The earnings picture offers some reassurance. Based on comparable South Carolina programs, graduates appear positioned right at the state median for business associate's degrees. However, the state's technical colleges—Horry-Georgetown, York, and Piedmont among them—demonstrate that similar credentials can lead to comparable or better outcomes, often with lower debt burdens at public institutions. The national median of $36,600 suggests the earning potential itself isn't unusual, but the path to get there matters.

For families considering Bob Jones, the calculation hinges on fit and alternatives. If the university's environment aligns strongly with your student's values and they lack lower-cost options, these estimated outcomes suggest the degree can lead to viable employment. But if cost is the primary concern, South Carolina's technical college system offers business programs with reported outcomes in the same earning range and typically friendlier debt profiles.