Business/Commerce at York Technical College

York Technical College's business associate degree generates first-year earnings of $33,870—below both the state median ($35,274) and national average ($36,591). Among South Carolina's 16 business associate programs, this lands squarely in the middle at the 40th percentile, trailing competitors like Horry-Georgetown Technical College by nearly $3,000. The program also ranks in just the 39th percentile nationally, meaning six out of ten similar programs produce better earnings outcomes.

The saving grace here is the debt load. At $11,000, graduates carry less than half the typical debt burden for South Carolina business programs ($26,324) and significantly less than the national median of $13,437. This creates a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.32—meaning graduates could theoretically pay off their debt in less than four months of gross income. For families prioritizing minimal borrowing over maximizing initial earnings, this trade-off works.

However, the small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these numbers could shift considerably year to year. If your child is debt-averse and views this as a stepping stone—whether to a bachelor's degree or to simply enter the workforce quickly—the low debt makes sense. But if they're seeking the strongest immediate earning potential from a South Carolina associate program, there are demonstrably better options available.