At $3,719/yr net price, Horry-Georgetown Technical College graduates earn $35,507/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $1,507/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $3,719 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $14,876 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $35,507/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$1,507/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 9.9 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 28.2% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $14,250 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $2,520/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $3,657/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $4,770/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $7,147/yr |
| $110,001+ | $7,415/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Associate | $52,897 | $23,500 |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Associate | $45,048 | |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions. | Associate | $42,682 | |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $42,309 | $24,875 |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR). | Certificate | $38,018 | $8,875 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Certificate | $33,993 | $9,500 |
| Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians. | Associate | $32,391 | |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other. | Associate | $29,141 | |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Associate | $28,598 | $12,913 |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants. | Certificate | $27,222 | $17,390 |
The Risk Factor
28.2% of students at Horry-Georgetown Technical College graduate within 6 years. Fewer than half of students complete their degree. If you don't graduate, the financial investment may not pay off.
Analysis
Horry-Georgetown Technical College runs on low cost and modest returns. You pay under $4,000 a year on average and leave with median debt of $14,250, which keeps your downside small even if things don't go to plan. But the median graduate earns about $35,500 ten years out, so the payoff depends heavily on which program you pick.
Nursing is the clear winner here. The associate nursing track pays roughly $53,000, about $17,000 above the school-wide median, though it carries the heaviest debt load at $23,500. Allied health, medical assisting, and dental support all land in the low-to-mid $40,000s and cost you far less to finish. HVAC stands out as the value play: certificate earnings near $38,000 against under $9,000 in debt. That combination beats several of the associate programs on cost-to-return.
The biggest risk is finishing at all. Only 28% of students graduate, and the low net price only pays off if you walk away with a credential. If you borrow, enroll, and drop out, you carry debt with no degree behind it. Programs outside the health and trades lists don't report strong earnings, so a general or transfer track here may leave you near or below that $35,500 median.
This school fits you if you want a health or skilled-trades credential without taking on real debt. Under-$30k families pay about $2,520 a year, and even the top income tier stays around $7,400, so cost is not the barrier for anyone. If your goal is a bachelor's-level career and higher lifetime earnings, treat this as a cheap transfer step, not an endpoint, and look elsewhere for the four-year degree.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Horry-Georgetown Technical College worth the money?
At $3,719 per year with median debt of $14,250, Horry-Georgetown Technical College offers good value for specific programs like nursing ($52,897 earnings) and allied health ($45,048). However, the 28% graduation rate means most students don't finish their programs.
What are the best paying programs at Horry-Georgetown Technical College?
Nursing programs lead with $52,897 average earnings, followed by medical assisting at $45,048 and dental support at $42,682. HVAC programs earn less at $38,018 but still provide decent returns given the low tuition costs.
How much debt do Horry-Georgetown Technical College graduates have?
Graduates carry a median debt of $14,250, which is manageable compared to four-year colleges. With low annual costs of $3,719, students who complete programs typically avoid heavy debt burdens.
What is the graduation rate at Horry-Georgetown Technical College?
Only 28% of students graduate from Horry-Georgetown Technical College. This low completion rate is a significant risk factor that prospective students should consider when evaluating the school's value.