Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Horry-Georgetown Technical College

Horry-Georgetown Technical College's Liberal Arts associate's degree produces surprisingly strong outcomes given the program type. Starting earnings of $26,724 lag slightly behind the national median but actually outperform 60% of similar programs in South Carolina—a meaningful advantage for students likely staying in-state. More importantly, the debt load of $16,500 sits well below typical burdens (11th percentile nationally), creating a manageable 0.62 debt-to-earnings ratio that most graduates can handle.

The earnings trajectory tells an encouraging story: graduates see 23% income growth by year four, reaching nearly $33,000. While this still trails the top South Carolina programs by $3,000-$4,000 annually, it represents solid progress for an associate's degree in liberal arts. The program serves a substantial population of Pell grant recipients (39%), suggesting it's fulfilling an access mission without saddling students with crushing debt.

For families weighing this option, the key advantage is financial safety: lower debt than 89% of comparable programs nationwide means reduced risk even if career paths shift. The earnings won't lead state rankings, but they're respectable for South Carolina's market and trending upward. This is a reasonable choice for students needing an affordable credential while figuring out their next steps, particularly those planning to transfer or enter roles where any degree opens doors.