Location: Columbia, SC•In-State Tuition: $24,184•Admission Rate: 92%
Median Earnings (1yr)
$24,383
25th percentile
40th percentile in South Carolina
Median Debt
$12,187
28% above national median
D/E Ratio: 0.50 ManageableSample: 74 graduates

Analysis

Graduates of this program earn about $3,600 less than the typical medical assisting graduate in South Carolina—a meaningful gap when starting salaries are already modest. At the 40th percentile statewide, this program trails not just community colleges like Spartanburg ($32,200) and Midlands Tech ($31,912), but also Southeastern's own Charleston campus by over $4,000. Nationally, it ranks in just the 25th percentile for earnings among similar programs.

The numbers become more troubling over time. Earnings actually decline to $22,217 by year four—a 9% drop that's unusual for healthcare credentials, which typically offer stable employment. Meanwhile, the $12,187 in debt (close to the state median) means graduates face a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.50, making repayment challenging on already tight budgets. With 73% of students receiving Pell grants, these outcomes hit a particularly vulnerable population.

For families considering medical assisting training in South Carolina, the state's community colleges deliver substantially better returns at similar or lower debt levels. This program's combination of below-average starting pay and declining earnings makes it difficult to justify when stronger alternatives exist nearby.

Where Southeastern College-Columbia Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all allied health and medical assisting services certificate's programs nationally

Southeastern College-ColumbiaOther allied health and medical assisting services programs

Dashed lines show national medians. Upper-left = best value.

Earnings Distribution

How Southeastern College-Columbia graduates compare to all programs nationally

Southeastern College-Columbia earns $24k — 25th percentile among allied health and medical assisting services certificate programs.

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
Southeastern College-Columbia$24,383$22,217-9%
Southeastern College-Charleston$28,689$30,868+8%
Piedmont Technical College$28,238$29,599+5%
Fortis College-Columbia$27,198$29,402+8%
Central Carolina Technical College$26,294$28,014+7%

Compare to Similar Programs in South Carolina

Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services certificate's programs at peer institutions in South Carolina (19 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
Southeastern College-ColumbiaColumbia$24,184$24,383$22,217$12,1870.50
Spartanburg Community CollegeSpartanburg$5,046$32,200—$9,4900.29
Midlands Technical CollegeWest Columbia$4,788$31,912—$19,0240.60
Technical College of the LowcountryBeaufort$5,500$31,348———
Southeastern College-CharlestonNorth Charleston$24,184$28,689$30,868$14,1980.49
Piedmont Technical CollegeGreenwood$4,775$28,238$29,599$12,2920.44
National Median—$27,186—$9,5000.35

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with allied health and medical assisting services graduates

Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in health specialties, in fields such as dentistry, laboratory technology, medicine, pharmacy, public health, therapy, and veterinary medicine.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Occupational Therapy Assistants

Assist occupational therapists in providing occupational therapy treatments and procedures. May, in accordance with state laws, assist in development of treatment plans, carry out routine functions, direct activity programs, and document the progress of treatments. Generally requires formal training.

$66,050/yrJobs growth:

Surgical Technologists

Assist in operations, under the supervision of surgeons, registered nurses, or other surgical personnel. May help set up operating room, prepare and transport patients for surgery, adjust lights and equipment, pass instruments and other supplies to surgeons and surgeons' assistants, hold retractors, cut sutures, and help count sponges, needles, supplies, and instruments.

$62,480/yrJobs growth:Postsecondary nondegree award

Physical Therapist Assistants

Assist physical therapists in providing physical therapy treatments and procedures. May, in accordance with state laws, assist in the development of treatment plans, carry out routine functions, document the progress of treatment, and modify specific treatments in accordance with patient status and within the scope of treatment plans established by a physical therapist. Generally requires formal training.

$60,050/yrJobs growth:

Medical Assistants

Perform administrative and certain clinical duties under the direction of a physician. Administrative duties may include scheduling appointments, maintaining medical records, billing, and coding information for insurance purposes. Clinical duties may include taking and recording vital signs and medical histories, preparing patients for examination, drawing blood, and administering medications as directed by physician.

$44,200/yrJobs growth:Postsecondary nondegree award

Pharmacy Technicians

Prepare medications under the direction of a pharmacist. May measure, mix, count out, label, and record amounts and dosages of medications according to prescription orders.

$43,460/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians

Perform routine medical laboratory tests for the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease. May work under the supervision of a medical technologist.

Histology Technicians

Prepare histological slides from tissue sections for microscopic examination and diagnosis by pathologists. May assist with research studies.

Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other

All health technologists and technicians not listed separately.

Neurodiagnostic Technologists

Conduct electroneurodiagnostic (END) tests such as electroencephalograms, evoked potentials, polysomnograms, or electronystagmograms. May perform nerve conduction studies.

Ophthalmic Medical Technologists

Assist ophthalmologists by performing ophthalmic clinical functions and ophthalmic photography. Provide instruction and supervision to other ophthalmic personnel. Assist with minor surgical procedures, applying aseptic techniques and preparing instruments. May perform eye exams, administer eye medications, and instruct patients in care and use of corrective lenses.

Healthcare Support Workers, All Other

All healthcare support workers not listed separately.

About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Southeastern College-Columbia, approximately 73% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.