Business Operations Support and Assistant Services at Tri-County Technical College

Tri-County Technical College's business operations program sits in an unusual spot—it ranks in the 60th percentile among South Carolina programs for earnings, yet graduates see their pay actually decline over their first four years, dropping from $28,319 to $26,811. That's a red flag, especially when you compare it to Greenville Tech's graduates who earn over $35,000 right out of the gate. The earnings trajectory suggests these graduates may be entering roles without much advancement potential or facing a challenging local job market.

The saving grace here is the debt load. At $11,550, graduates owe roughly half what's typical for this program nationally, making this more of a modest bet than a risky investment. That translates to monthly payments around $130—manageable even on these starting salaries. The low debt keeps the program from being a cautionary tale, even if the earnings picture is underwhelming.

The major caveat: this cohort is small (under 30 graduates), so these numbers could shift considerably with different students or economic conditions. For a family considering this program, the real question is whether their student has stronger options—a transfer pathway to a four-year business degree, or enrollment at Greenville Tech if location allows. This program won't derail anyone financially, but it's not opening doors to significant career growth either.