Analysis
Greenville Technical College's interdisciplinary studies program starts graduates at $31,783—roughly $10,000 below what similar SC programs deliver and landing in the bottom quarter both statewide and nationally. That's a significant gap when other technical colleges in South Carolina, like Central Carolina and Tri-County, are placing their interdisciplinary graduates at $50,000+. The earnings do climb 29% by year four to $41,000, but that still only catches this program up to where the state median starts.
The debt picture offers some relief: at $17,814, it's manageable and well below what most programs charge, resulting in a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.56. Within two years of reasonable budgeting, a graduate could feasibly clear this debt. However, when technical college peers in the same state are delivering substantially better earnings outcomes, the lower debt doesn't fully compensate for the earnings disadvantage.
The sample size here is small—under 30 graduates—so these numbers may not tell the full story. But if you're paying for an associate degree in South Carolina, this program appears to underperform its peers significantly. Unless there are specific program features or career pathways not captured in the earnings data, other SC technical colleges offer stronger returns on the same time and money investment.
Where Greenville Technical College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all multi/interdisciplinary studies associates's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How Greenville Technical College graduates compare to all programs nationally
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
| School | 1 Year | 4 Years | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greenville Technical College | $31,783 | $41,036 | +29% |
| Central Carolina Technical College | $59,456 | $57,364 | -4% |
| Tri-County Technical College | $51,330 | $52,881 | +3% |
| York Technical College | $42,143 | $41,002 | -3% |
| Spartanburg Community College | $31,353 | $39,255 | +25% |
Compare to Similar Programs in South Carolina
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies associates's programs at peer institutions in South Carolina (16 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Greenville Technical CollegeGreenville | $5,639 | $31,783 | $41,036 | $17,814 | 0.56 |
 Central Carolina Technical CollegeSumter | $5,715 | $59,456 | $57,364 | — | — |
 Tri-County Technical CollegePendleton | $4,448 | $51,330 | $52,881 | — | — |
 Aiken Technical CollegeGraniteville | $5,044 | $45,236 | — | — | — |
 York Technical CollegeRock Hill | $5,512 | $42,143 | $41,002 | $8,250 | 0.20 |
 Midlands Technical CollegeWest Columbia | $4,788 | $41,730 | $35,270 | $16,000 | 0.38 |
| National Median | — | $35,979 | — | $13,023 | 0.36 |
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Greenville Technical College, approximately 33% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Sample Size: Based on 20 graduates with reported earnings and 19 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.