Accounting at Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College

Comparable accounting programs in South Carolina suggest first-year earnings around $41,233—putting this track squarely in the middle of the state's technical college offerings and slightly above the national median of $37,000. With an estimated debt load of $16,000, graduates would face monthly payments of roughly $175 over ten years, which represents less than 40% of first-year earnings. For an associate's degree that leads to a field with clear licensing pathways and consistent demand, these estimates point to a manageable financial entry point.

The challenge here is uncertainty. Since the Department of Education suppressed this program's actual outcomes due to small graduate cohorts, we're working with figures derived from peer programs across South Carolina's technical college system. What we do know is that accounting associate's degrees generally perform reliably—the field offers standardized skills that translate across employers, and South Carolina's technical colleges show consistent outcomes in this area. The 43% Pell grant rate suggests the school serves students who need credentials that deliver quickly.

For parents weighing this investment, the estimated numbers suggest reasonable risk if your student plans to work in accounting immediately after graduation. The debt is modest enough that even if actual outcomes fall somewhat short of the estimate, the burden remains manageable. Just understand you're betting on this program performing like its peers rather than banking on proven track record at this specific campus.