Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services (Associate's Degree) at Trident Technical College

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$39,761

Est. from SC median (7 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$17,606

Est. from national median (186 programs)

Analysis

Similar Allied Health programs across South Carolina suggest first-year earnings around $39,800, which would put Trident Technical College in the middle of the pack compared to peer schools in the state. However, the estimated debt load of $17,600 is notably lighter than the state median of $27,400 for comparable programs—a meaningful difference that translates to a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.44, comfortably below the threshold where loan repayment becomes burdensome.

The challenge for parents is that both figures are estimates drawn from peer institutions rather than actual outcomes from Trident's program, so you're essentially betting on the school performing at the state average. The good news is that even if earnings came in somewhat lower, the relatively modest debt burden provides cushion. Programs at Greenville Tech and Midlands Tech show higher reported earnings in the $43,000-$44,000 range, suggesting there's room for variation in how well South Carolina's technical colleges prepare students for the allied health job market.

If your child is committed to allied health and can complete this program near the estimated debt level, the fundamentals look reasonable—you're not mortgaging their future for credentials that might not deliver. But given the uncertainty, it's worth exploring whether nearby technical colleges with reported outcomes might offer more predictability, especially if those schools have established relationships with Charleston-area healthcare employers.

Where Trident Technical College Stands

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

Compare to Similar Programs in South Carolina

Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services associates's programs at peer institutions in South Carolina (12 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
Trident Technical CollegeCharleston	$4,564	$39,761*	—	$17,606*	—
Greenville Technical CollegeGreenville	$5,639	$43,962*	$40,643	$21,740*	0.49
Midlands Technical CollegeWest Columbia	$4,788	$43,709*	—	$15,750*	0.36
Horry-Georgetown Technical CollegeConway	$4,468	$43,389*	$46,784	—*	—
South University-ColumbiaColumbia	$18,238	$39,761*	$43,365	$30,694*	0.77
Piedmont Technical CollegeGreenwood	$4,775	$30,194*	—	—*	—
National Median	—	$36,862*	—	$19,825*	0.54

* Estimated from similar programs

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 Trident Technical College, approximately 27% 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 median of 7 similar programs in SC. Actual outcomes may vary.