Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services at Greenville Technical College

Greenville Technical College's Allied Health program starts stronger than most similar programs nationally but follows an unusual trajectory: graduates earn nearly $44,000 in their first year—higher than 79% of comparable programs nationwide—but see their earnings slip to $40,600 four years later. That's still solid money for an associate degree, particularly against a national median of just $36,800 for this field, but the backward trend merits attention.

Within South Carolina, this program lands squarely in the middle of the pack, though that's actually a positive sign given the state's lower debt burden. Graduates here borrow $21,740 compared to $27,400 at the typical SC program, meaning you're getting competitive earnings without the debt premium charged elsewhere. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.49 suggests manageable repayment, though that assumes earnings stabilize rather than continue declining.

The earnings dip likely reflects the nature of medical assisting roles, where initial certifications command good wages but career advancement often requires additional credentials or a shift into different healthcare positions. For families comfortable with that career arc—or planning for further education down the line—this program delivers immediate earning power at a reasonable price. Just understand you're not buying automatic income growth.