Business/Commerce at Piedmont Technical College

Piedmont Technical College's business associate degree comes with a debt load that's roughly double the national average for similar programs, though still manageable at 79% of first-year earnings. Students here borrow $26,547 compared to a national median of just $13,437—meaning this program's graduates carry twice the debt of their peers nationwide, even as they earn slightly less ($33,486 versus $36,591 nationally). Within South Carolina, the program tracks near the middle of the pack, landing at the 40th percentile for earnings among 16 business associate programs statewide.

The earnings trajectory shows modest but steady growth, with graduates earning $36,670 four years out—a 10% increase that at least moves in the right direction. For comparison, Horry-Georgetown Technical College's business grads earn similar amounts while Strayer's program posts significantly higher returns at $44,154. The high Pell Grant enrollment (48%) suggests this serves students with limited resources, making the debt burden particularly worth scrutiny.

For families weighing this option, the math is straightforward: you're looking at above-average debt for below-average earnings in a crowded field. Unless location or specific circumstances make Piedmont the clear choice, other South Carolina technical colleges offer similar programs with comparable outcomes—and in some cases, potentially lower debt loads worth investigating before committing.