Human Development, Family Studies, at Midlands Technical College

Midlands Technical College graduates from this human development program earn above the national median right out of the gate—landing in the 76th percentile nationally—though the small sample size (under 30 graduates) means individual circumstances heavily influence these figures. The $24,352 first-year earnings outpace the $21,341 national median, and the $21,472 debt load ranks in the lowest 5% nationally, making this one of the more affordable pathways in this field. However, within South Carolina's 16 programs, this sits at the 60th percentile, suggesting it's competitive but not exceptional for in-state students.

The concern here is earnings stagnation: graduates actually see a slight dip to $23,790 by year four. For a certificate program serving a nearly 40% Pell-eligible population, these income levels—roughly $12 an hour initially—may struggle to support independent living. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.88 is manageable compared to many programs, but you're looking at nearly a year's salary to pay off loans while earning less than $25,000 annually.

If your child is already working in childcare or social services and needs credentials to advance, this certificate could make sense as a low-cost stepping stone. For someone starting fresh with career options, the earnings ceiling here is quite low. The real value depends entirely on whether this opens doors to positions with benefits or clearer advancement paths.