Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Piedmont Technical College

Piedmont Technical College's liberal arts associate degree produces graduates earning slightly below the South Carolina median for this program—$25,532 versus $28,548 statewide one year out. That 40th percentile state ranking becomes more significant when you see that top programs in South Carolina like Midlands Tech and Technical College of the Lowcountry are placing their liberal arts graduates $3,000-$4,000 higher annually. For a program where half the students receive Pell grants, these differences compound over time.

The debt picture offers some relief: at $14,000, it's manageable compared to the national median of $10,950, though still slightly above the state average. More importantly, the 0.55 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates owe about half their first-year salary—a workable starting point. Earnings do grow to $28,548 by year four, which is a 12% increase, though that still leaves graduates trailing peers at other South Carolina technical colleges.

For South Carolina families, this program represents a serviceable but not optimal choice. If your child has access to Midlands or Greenville Tech, those would deliver better economic outcomes. If Piedmont Tech is the local option, the debt load won't be crushing, but expect below-average earnings compared to other in-state alternatives for the same degree.