Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences at South University-Columbia

The $57,500 debt burden here overshadows everything else about this program. While graduates earn slightly above both the national median ($35,279) and South Carolina median ($31,668)—landing around the 60th percentile in both comparisons—they're carrying more than double the typical debt load for this field. Nationally, the median health sciences graduate borrows $26,690; in South Carolina, it's $21,500. This program saddles students with 2-3 times that amount.

That debt-to-earnings ratio of 1.57 means graduates owe roughly 19 months of their first-year salary, which translates to monthly payments that will consume a significant chunk of take-home pay. The 11% earnings growth to $40,651 by year four helps, but not enough to offset the financial strain. With 58% of students receiving Pell grants, many families here are already financially stretched—making this debt load particularly risky.

The earnings aren't terrible for South Carolina, but they don't justify borrowing this much. If this program required $25,000-30,000 in debt, it would be a reasonable choice. At $57,500, your child would start their career in a financial hole that could delay major life decisions like buying a home or starting a family. Unless there are compelling personal circumstances or you can significantly reduce borrowing through scholarships, this price point makes it hard to recommend.