Business Administration, Management and Operations at Tri-County Technical College

Tri-County Technical College graduates start earning $38,336—about $7,000 more than the typical business associate's degree in South Carolina and well above the national median. That's a solid advantage, ranking this program in the 60th percentile statewide. The debt load is remarkably manageable at $9,450, less than half what students typically borrow at other SC business programs (which average $22,500). This combination creates a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.25, meaning graduates could theoretically pay off their loans in about three months of full salary.

The caveat here is the slight earnings decline by year four—graduates actually make about $1,000 less than they did initially. This suggests many may be in entry-level positions with limited advancement, though they're still earning more than most business associate's degree holders in the state. While Greenville Tech and York Tech grads pull ahead with earnings in the mid-$40,000s, Tri-County's combination of competitive starting pay and minimal debt creates genuine value. For a working-class student (40% receive Pell grants here), this represents a low-risk credential that delivers immediate earnings without burdensome loans—you're looking at real income from day one, not spending years digging out of debt.