Analysis
A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.37 suggests manageable borrowing for this two-year program, though the figures deserve scrutiny. With earnings and debt both estimated from peer programs nationally, we're looking at what similar marketing associate's degree programs typically produce—around $42,000 in first-year earnings against roughly $15,600 in debt. That's actually below the national median debt of $19,149 for marketing associate's programs, which is promising.
What makes this harder to evaluate is Georgia's marketing landscape. With 21 schools offering this credential statewide but none publishing actual graduate outcomes, there's limited visibility into how associate's-level marketing degrees perform in this state's economy. The estimated earnings would translate to monthly loan payments around 8-9% of gross income under standard repayment—workable, but not comfortable if your child's actual starting salary comes in lower than the national estimate suggests.
The practical concern is whether marketing skills from a technical college translate into roles that justify even moderate debt. If your child has local job connections or a specific employer pathway lined up in Vidalia or nearby markets, the compact debt load makes this less risky. Without that, you're betting on labor market outcomes that haven't been documented for this specific program or its Georgia peers.
Where Southeastern Technical College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all marketing associates's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs Nationally
Marketing associates's programs at top institutions nationally
Scroll to see more →
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $3,172 | $41,955* | — | $15,597* | — | |
| $4,448 | $48,724* | $46,865 | $14,943* | 0.31 | |
| $16,450 | $45,084* | — | $22,546* | 0.50 | |
| $4,058 | $44,748* | — | $19,652* | 0.44 | |
| $10,899 | $44,293* | $44,488 | $27,167* | 0.61 | |
| $15,117 | $44,293* | $44,488 | $27,167* | 0.61 | |
| National Median | — | $41,955* | — | $19,149* | 0.46 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with marketing graduates
Advertising and Promotions Managers
Marketing Managers
Sales Managers
Fundraising Managers
Web and Digital Interface Designers
Video Game Designers
Business Teachers, Postsecondary
Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists
Search Marketing Strategists
Fundraisers
Survey Researchers
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 Technical College, approximately 39% 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.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the national median of 18 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.