Culinary Arts at Greenville Technical College

Greenville Technical College's Culinary Arts program sits in the middle of a challenging national landscape for culinary education, but it performs respectably within South Carolina—ranking in the 60th percentile for state earnings while keeping debt below the state median. That $26,268 starting salary is essentially on par with national averages, and the $19,434 typical debt load means graduates face roughly nine months of earnings to clear their loans, which is manageable compared to many associate degree programs.

The concerning pattern here is the earnings trajectory: graduates actually earn slightly less four years out than in their first year. This backward slide of 4% suggests the program may prepare students for entry-level kitchen positions that don't offer clear advancement paths. In an industry known for long hours and physical demands, that stagnant earning power matters. However, culinary careers often involve lateral moves between establishments or eventually transitioning into catering or personal chef work, which this data may not fully capture.

For families considering this investment, the program works best as a launching pad for students who have a clear vision beyond line cooking—those planning to eventually open their own restaurants, move into hospitality management, or specialize in high-demand areas like pastry or farm-to-table cuisine. The debt is reasonable enough that it won't become a crushing burden, but the earnings ceiling means graduates will need to chart their own path upward rather than relying on traditional employment advancement.