Design and Applied Arts at Horry-Georgetown Technical College

Graduates of this program start at just $22,024—about $6,000 below the national median for design associate degrees—though they do see meaningful growth to nearly $27,000 by year four. Here's the silver lining: among South Carolina's four schools offering this program, Horry-Georgetown sits at the state median for earnings, meaning this isn't uniquely weak performance but rather reflects the challenging economics of design careers in the state. The debt load of $17,500, while manageable in absolute terms, still represents nearly 80% of first-year earnings.

The small sample size (under 30 graduates) adds real uncertainty to these figures—a few outliers could shift the picture considerably. That said, the pattern is concerning: even with solid earnings growth, graduates four years out are still earning less than what most associate degree holders in design make nationally right after graduation.

For parents considering this program, the math is straightforward: your child would likely need supplemental income or family support in those early years, and even mid-career earnings may not justify the investment unless they're passionate about design work specifically in the Conway area. If relocating after graduation is an option, programs in states with stronger creative industries would offer better return potential.