Forestry at Horry-Georgetown Technical College

Conway, SC · Public · Associate Degree

enrolling 5,962 students in Conway, SC.

Program Analysis

At $36,135/yr, Forestry graduates from Horry-Georgetown Technical College land near the $38,666 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

The 56.9x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. Trade programs often deliver strong ratios, and this one is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 34% task exposure — and the 29% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Forestry graduates.

The median debt load of $12,000 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.

With only 3 programs offering Forestry nationally, this is a niche field. Horry-Georgetown Technical College ranks #2 among them.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $36,135 to $49,650 shows 37% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

Forestry connects to 2 apprenticeship options. The earn-while-you-learn model can be a strong alternative or complement to a certificate program.

52 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
47
Low End
52
Score
54
High End
Earnings $36,135/yr (-7% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (66% shielded)
Job Market Medium (18,100 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$530K
8.3% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
59.3x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
6 of 6
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Program Tuition (In-State)
$8,936
Out-of-state: $17,672
Median Debt at Graduation
$12,000
4.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$49,650
37% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Forestry graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Forestry and conservation science teachers, postsecondary $100,830 +4.0% 52%
Foresters $70,660 +1.2% 63%
Conservation scientists $67,950 +3.4% 48%
Forestry and conservation science teachers, postsecondary
$100,830
+4.0% growth 52% AI-proof
Foresters
$70,660
+1.2% growth 63% AI-proof
Conservation scientists
$67,950
+3.4% growth 48% AI-proof

View all 6 career paths with full salary data →

Forestry Career Guide

What can you do with a Forestry credential from Horry-Georgetown Technical College? Our career guide maps every occupation path with earnings and growth data.

Read the full Forestry career guide →

Compare & Explore

Forestry Overview

Forestry at Other Schools

Other Majors at Horry-Georgetown Technical College

How Does a Bachelor's Degree Compare?

Four-year programs take longer but may unlock different career trajectories. See the data.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Horry-Georgetown Technical College's Forestry program score?
This program scores 52/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Forestry programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.
Can I learn Forestry through an apprenticeship instead of Horry-Georgetown Technical College?
Beyond Horry-Georgetown Technical College's classroom route, 2 registered apprenticeships map to Forestry careers — including Bison Herd Manager. Apprenticeships trade shorter program length for longer on-the-job training, typically 2-4 years.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →