Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies at Tri-County Technical College

Tri-County Technical College's interdisciplinary studies program delivers first-year earnings of $51,330—a figure that puts it in the 95th percentile nationally but signals something unusual when compared to peer programs in South Carolina. While Central Carolina Technical leads the state at nearly $60,000, Tri-County's outcomes substantially outpace the state median of $41,730 for this credential. With estimated debt around $15,551 based on comparable South Carolina programs, graduates face a manageable 0.30 debt-to-earnings ratio that should allow most to service loans comfortably.

The concern here is modest earnings growth—just 3% over four years suggests graduates may be landing in positions with limited advancement or credential recognition. Interdisciplinary studies degrees can open doors or simply provide workforce entry depending on how intentionally students build their curriculum, and flat earnings growth points toward the latter. For families where a quick, affordable credential matters most—particularly the 40% of students here receiving Pell grants—this path delivers immediate earning power that exceeds most alternatives.

The bottom line: This program appears to produce strong initial returns, but parents should verify what's driving those numbers. If graduates are leveraging prior work experience or entering specific local industries, that context matters. The estimated debt load won't burden most students, but the limited growth trajectory means this degree functions more as workforce entry than career acceleration.