At $6,531/yr net price, Spartanburg Community College graduates earn $37,097/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $3,097/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $6,531 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $26,124 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $37,097/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$3,097/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 8.4 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 30.0% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $6,500 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $6,365/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $5,560/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $7,623/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $8,274/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians. | Associate | $54,869 | |
| Precision Metal Working. | Associate | $54,418 | |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Associate | $51,106 | $7,950 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $50,856 | $6,100 |
| Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians. | Associate | $47,260 | |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Associate | $37,208 | |
| Precision Metal Working. | Certificate | $36,185 | |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other. | Associate | $35,772 | |
| Data Processing. | Associate | $33,138 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Associate | $32,925 | $7,500 |
The Risk Factor
30.0% of students at Spartanburg Community 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
Spartanburg Community College delivers strong returns for technical programs but falls short for most other majors. Your best financial bets are Industrial Production Technologies and Precision Metal Working, both delivering median salaries above $54,000 annually. Nursing graduates earn $51,106 with manageable debt levels, making it another solid choice given the strong healthcare job market in upstate South Carolina.
The college's 30% graduation rate creates significant financial risk. If you don't complete your program, you'll carry debt without the credential needed for higher-paying jobs. This completion challenge particularly hurts students in lower-paying programs where the margin for error is slim.
You should avoid this school if you're targeting liberal arts or general studies programs, which typically lead to much lower earnings than the technical specialties. The regional job market heavily favors skilled trades and healthcare workers, making other programs poor investments here.
The low net price of $6,531 annually helps offset modest earnings for some programs, but only if you graduate quickly. Students who take extra time to complete degrees erode their return on investment. The relatively low percentage of students receiving financial aid suggests many can afford the full cost, but also indicates limited institutional grant opportunities.
Spartanburg Community College works best for you if you're committed to finishing a technical program and staying in the region where these skills command premium wages. Students seeking broader career options or planning to transfer to four-year universities should consider schools with stronger completion rates and transfer pathways.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Spartanburg Community College worth the cost?
At $6,531 per year, Spartanburg Community College offers decent value for students who choose high-paying programs like industrial technology or nursing. However, the 30% graduation rate means many students pay without finishing their degree.
What are the highest paying programs at Spartanburg Community College?
Industrial production technology and precision metalworking graduates earn around $54,000 annually, well above the school's average of $37,000. Nursing and electrical technology programs also pay better than most other options at the school.
How much debt do Spartanburg Community College students graduate with?
The median debt is $6,500, which is manageable compared to four-year schools. Students in the top-paying technical programs can typically pay this off within a few years of graduation.
What is the graduation rate at Spartanburg Community College?
Only 30% of students graduate, meaning 7 out of 10 students leave without completing their program. This low completion rate significantly reduces the school's overall value proposition for most students.