Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations (Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma) at Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$41,685

Est. from national median (8 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$18,788

Est. from national median (11 programs)

Analysis

A debt load near $19,000 for a certificate program deserves scrutiny, especially when comparable programs in South Carolina typically see half that amount—around $11,300. The earnings estimate here comes from national peer programs and suggests roughly $42,000 in first-year income, but other South Carolina schools with actual reported data show graduates earning closer to $32,000. That gap matters when you're servicing nearly twice the debt of your in-state competitors.

The debt-to-earnings ratio sits at 0.45, which sounds manageable on paper, but consider what this means practically: if the South Carolina earnings pattern holds and your child earns in the low $30,000s rather than low $40,000s, that $19,000 debt becomes a heavier burden. For a certificate program serving a population where 43% of students need Pell grants, starting a business career with substantial debt can limit the very risk-taking and capital flexibility that entrepreneurship requires.

Before committing, find out why this program's estimated debt runs so much higher than other technical colleges in the state. The smaller debt loads at peer institutions suggest there may be more affordable paths to the same credential—and in entrepreneurship, keeping your fixed costs low from the start isn't just smart finance, it's foundational business strategy.

Where Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all entrepreneurial and small business operations certificate's programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs in South Carolina

Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations certificate's programs at peer institutions in South Carolina (7 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
Orangeburg Calhoun Technical CollegeOrangeburg	$4,970	$41,685*	—	$18,788*	—
York Technical CollegeRock Hill	$5,512	$31,868*	—	$11,302*	0.35
National Median	—	$41,684*	—	$18,788*	0.45

* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with entrepreneurial and small business operations graduates

Chief Executives

Determine and formulate policies and provide overall direction of companies or private and public sector organizations within guidelines set up by a board of directors or similar governing body. Plan, direct, or coordinate operational activities at the highest level of management with the help of subordinate executives and staff managers.

$105,350/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Chief Sustainability Officers

Communicate and coordinate with management, shareholders, customers, and employees to address sustainability issues. Enact or oversee a corporate sustainability strategy.

$105,350/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

General and Operations Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate the operations of public or private sector organizations, overseeing multiple departments or locations. Duties and responsibilities include formulating policies, managing daily operations, and planning the use of materials and human resources, but are too diverse and general in nature to be classified in any one functional area of management or administration, such as personnel, purchasing, or administrative services. Usually manage through subordinate supervisors. Excludes First-Line Supervisors.

$105,350/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Business Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in business administration and management, such as accounting, finance, human resources, labor and industrial relations, marketing, and operations research. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Personal Service Managers, All Other

All personal service managers not listed separately.

Fitness and Wellness Coordinators

Manage or coordinate fitness and wellness programs and services. Manage and train staff of wellness specialists, health educators, or fitness instructors.

Spa Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities of a spa facility. Coordinate programs, schedule and direct staff, and oversee financial activities.

Managers, All Other

All managers not listed separately.

Regulatory Affairs Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate production activities of an organization to ensure compliance with regulations and standard operating procedures.

Compliance Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities of an organization to ensure compliance with ethical or regulatory standards.

Loss Prevention Managers

Plan and direct policies, procedures, or systems to prevent the loss of assets. Determine risk exposure or potential liability, and develop risk control measures.

Wind Energy Operations Managers

Manage wind field operations, including personnel, maintenance activities, financial activities, and planning.

About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College, approximately 43% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the national median of 8 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.