Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College

Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College produces nursing graduates who launch strong but face an unusual earnings trajectory. First-year graduates earn $72,237—outpacing both the state median ($69,200) and placing them in the 68th percentile nationally. The debt load of $19,900 is notably lower than South Carolina's typical nursing debt of $24,649, creating a manageable 0.28 debt-to-earnings ratio that most borrowers can handle comfortably.

The concern here is the earnings drop: by year four, typical graduates earn $61,528, a 15% decline that reverses the program's initial advantage. This pattern could reflect graduates taking part-time positions, leaving bedside nursing for lower-paying roles, or regional employment shifts. Among the 17 nursing programs in South Carolina, this one ranks solidly in the middle (60th percentile), trailing stronger performers like Tri-County Technical College by modest margins.

For families weighing this option, the math still works—you're entering a profession with immediate earning power and reasonable debt—but the earnings slide demands explanation. If your child plans to stay in acute care hospital settings long-term, this pattern may not affect them. But if the typical graduate's experience reflects limited local opportunities or career pivots, you'll want to understand why before committing. The upfront economics are sound; it's the four-year outlook that needs investigation.