Human Services at Piedmont Technical College

Piedmont Technical College's Human Services program lands right at the state median for both earnings and debt, but that's not necessarily reassuring when earnings hover just under $28,000 annually and show zero growth through the first four years. The more telling comparison is national: this program ranks in only the 28th percentile for earnings among the 277 schools offering this degree. That $27,781 starting salary falls nearly $4,000 short of what similar programs produce nationally, and the flat earnings trajectory suggests limited room for advancement in these roles.

The $19,781 in median debt translates to a 0.71 debt-to-earnings ratio—manageable on paper, but tight when you're bringing home under $28,000. Nearly half of students here receive Pell grants, indicating many come from lower-income backgrounds where even moderate debt can strain budgets. For students passionate about social services work, this path leads to meaningful but financially constrained careers.

The small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these numbers could shift with a few individual outcomes, but the pattern suggests realistic expectations are crucial. Families should compare this to direct-entry social work positions in South Carolina to see if the degree materially improves on what's available without it. If your child is set on human services, understand you're choosing a field for its mission rather than its paycheck.