Data Processing at Horry-Georgetown Technical College

Horry-Georgetown Technical College's Data Processing program delivers results that tell two different stories depending on your frame of reference. While graduates earn more than the national average—landing in the 65th percentile among similar programs—they rank in the bottom half of South Carolina programs at the 40th percentile. For parents comparing in-state options, this matters: Midlands Technical, Spartanburg Community, and Greenville Technical all report first-year earnings roughly $1,000-$1,200 higher.

The financial fundamentals work reasonably well here. At $16,500 in debt and first-year earnings of $38,825, graduates face manageable debt levels—about 5 months of their annual income. The 12% earnings growth to $43,340 by year four suggests decent career momentum, though four South Carolina schools do place their graduates at higher starting salaries.

For families in the Conway area prioritizing convenience and in-state tuition, this program offers a functional path into data processing without overwhelming debt. But if your student can commute to one of the higher-performing technical colleges like Midlands or Spartanburg, those extra $1,000-$1,500 in starting salary could mean $4,000-$6,000 more over four years—worth considering before committing.