Business/Commerce at Williamsburg Technical College

Is a two-year business degree worth taking on nearly $19,000 in debt? Based on similar programs in South Carolina, this particular investment looks more manageable than many. With first-year earnings around $35,275 and debt near $18,903, you're looking at a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.54—meaning the total debt equals about six and a half months of that first year's salary. That's within the range where graduates can typically stay current on loan payments without major financial strain.

What's telling is how this compares across South Carolina's technical college system. The estimated debt here sits well below the state median of $26,324 for business associate degrees, while the earnings projection holds steady right at the state average. Other technical colleges in the region show graduates earning anywhere from $33,000 to $44,000 in that first year, which suggests the field offers reasonable entry-level opportunities, though outcomes clearly vary by school and perhaps by the specific business concentration students pursue.

For families where 40% of students qualify for Pell grants—as is the case here—this program represents a practical path to business employment without the four-year price tag. The key question is whether this community college credential opens doors to the kinds of entry-level business roles your child wants, and whether there's clear advancement potential that justifies even this moderate debt load.