Business/Commerce (Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma) at Trident Technical College

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$35,122

Est. from national median (6 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$21,375

Est. from national median (6 programs)

Analysis

A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.61 signals potential trouble for this business certificate program. Based on comparable programs nationally, students leave with approximately $21,375 in debt—notably higher than the national median of $15,205 for similar credentials—while first-year earnings hover around $35,000. That's more than seven months of gross income dedicated to debt from a credential that's meant to be a quick workforce entry point.

What makes this particularly concerning is the credential level itself. Undergraduate certificates in business typically serve as low-cost, fast-track options for students seeking immediate employment or skill updates. When debt exceeds $20,000 for such a program, the value equation breaks down. Similar programs nationally suggest earnings won't climb dramatically with experience, meaning graduates could struggle with loan payments for years while earning what many associate degree holders make with less debt.

The reality is stark: for a certificate program, this estimated debt burden undermines the format's core advantage. If your child needs business credentials, exploring associate degree programs with better debt profiles—or considering whether workplace training or certificate programs at lower cost points might achieve similar outcomes—would be prudent before committing to this path.

Where Trident Technical College Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all business/commerce certificate's programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs Nationally

Business/Commerce certificate's programs at top institutions nationally

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
Trident Technical CollegeCharleston	$4,564	$35,122*	—	$21,375*	—
Indiana University-BloomingtonBloomington	$11,790	$71,550*	$88,198	$19,500*	0.27
Boise State UniversityBoise	$8,782	$36,913*	—	$27,298*	0.74
Indiana University-IndianapolisIndianapolis	$10,449	$36,707*	$44,404	$24,500*	0.67
West Virginia University at ParkersburgParkersburg	$4,420	$33,536*	—	$16,316*	0.49
Cabrillo CollegeAptos	$1,270	$31,951*	$55,144	—*	—
National Median	—	$35,122*	—	$15,205*	0.43

* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with business/commerce graduates

Sales Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate the actual distribution or movement of a product or service to the customer. Coordinate sales distribution by establishing sales territories, quotas, and goals and establish training programs for sales representatives. Analyze sales statistics gathered by staff to determine sales potential and inventory requirements and monitor the preferences of customers.

$138,060/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Industrial Production Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate the work activities and resources necessary for manufacturing products in accordance with cost, quality, and quantity specifications.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Quality Control Systems Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate quality assurance programs. Formulate quality control policies and control quality of laboratory and production efforts.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Geothermal Production Managers

Manage operations at geothermal power generation facilities. Maintain and monitor geothermal plant equipment for efficient and safe plant operations.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Biofuels Production Managers

Manage biofuels production and plant operations. Collect and process information on plant production and performance, diagnose problems, and design corrective procedures.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Biomass Power Plant Managers

Manage operations at biomass power generation facilities. Direct work activities at plant, including supervision of operations and maintenance staff.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Hydroelectric Production Managers

Manage operations at hydroelectric power generation facilities. Maintain and monitor hydroelectric plant equipment for efficient and safe plant operations.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Construction Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate, usually through subordinate supervisory personnel, activities concerned with the construction and maintenance of structures, facilities, and systems. Participate in the conceptual development of a construction project and oversee its organization, scheduling, budgeting, and implementation. Includes managers in specialized construction fields, such as carpentry or plumbing.

$106,980/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Administrative Services Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate one or more administrative services of an organization, such as records and information management, mail distribution, and other office support services.

$106,880/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Facilities Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate operations and functionalities of facilities and buildings. May include surrounding grounds or multiple facilities of an organization's campus.

$106,880/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Security Managers

Direct an organization's security functions, including physical security and safety of employees and facilities.

$106,880/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Chief Executives

Determine and formulate policies and provide overall direction of companies or private and public sector organizations within guidelines set up by a board of directors or similar governing body. Plan, direct, or coordinate operational activities at the highest level of management with the help of subordinate executives and staff managers.

$105,350/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

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 national median of 6 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.