How big is York Tech’s impact on the Rock Hill region? 6 takeaways from new report

A strong workforce topped Mac Winget’s list as he explained why his company, Southeastern Architectural Systems, recently signed off on a $12.3 million move from Charlotte to Rock Hill. The company president made mention of one spot in particular.

“We’re excited about having York Tech so close,” Winget told The Herald last week. “There are a lot of great benefits to being in Rock Hill.”

Winget is far from the first company executive to take notice.

Economic development professionals in the Rock Hill region have touted York Technical College for decades for its ability to provide manufacturers with skilled labor. Companies celebrating groundbreakings and ribbon cuttings routinely list South Carolina’s strong technical college program, and York Tech specifically, as reasons for optimism.

York Tech is more than manufacturing, too. Last fall, an apprenticeship through the school provided the city of Rock Hill 20 EMT workers for its fire department, and a CDL driver. York Tech has healthcare programs along with accounting, automotive technology and more than 30 other class options.

But York Tech brings much more to the Rock Hill region than its list of classes. The Rock Hill school generates $285.9 million in economic benefit each year, according to a recent study from the Darla Moore School of Business at the University of South Carolina.

“This study confirms the impact we see every day,” said York Tech President Stacey Moore. “Our graduates are filling critical workforce needs, earning higher wages and directly contributing to the economic strength of our community.”

Take a look at six takeaways from the new study, including how they impact the Rock Hill area:

SC technical college economic impact

Statewide, the technical college system generates nearly $6.4 billion in annual economic impact. That total represents 38,618 jobs, including 7,373 faculty and staff members employed by technical colleges.

The study combines operating data for schools with a multiplier and an “alumni effect” meant to capture job or spending totals indirectly tied to the schools. Economic impact includes, for instance, the higher wages graduates receive on average compared to people with only a high school diploma.

The $285.9 million annual impact at York Tech ranks eighth among the state’s 16 technical college. York Tech falls in the middle for most every category, from enrollment to median wages for graduates.

Median wage for graduates

The median wage for students who earn a certificate, diploma or associate’s degree from York Tech is $55,903. That’s $19,150 more than someone with a high school diploma.

Students who earn degrees and certifications from a technical college in South Carolina earn, on average, 52.8% more than someone with a high school diploma. Based on a median high school graduate income of $36,753 last year, that’s $19,399 more per year.

SC impact of tech school grads

Students staying close to home longer creates higher economic benefits to communities with schools like York Tech.

Within a year of finishing at one of South Carolina’s technical colleges, 81.8% of graduates are working in South Carolina. For research universities like the University of South Carolina, Clemson University and the Medical University of South Carolina, that number is 52.6%.

A decade post-graduation, 63.4% of tech school grads are working in South Carolina compared to 36.2% of research institution graduates. So a higher rate of technical school graduates are employed in the state in 10 years than research university graduates are in one year.

Smaller four-year universities in South Carolina, including Winthrop University, fall in between those figures. Students there are employed in the state at rates of 65.2% after one year and 39% after a decade.

York Tech top areas of study

One in five students at York Tech studies health professions and related clinical sciences. Health programs at the school include dental, exercise science, massage therapy, medical assisting, medical lab tech, nursing, paramedic, patient care, phlebotomy, radiology and surgical tech.

Nearly 11% of students come to York Tech for business, management, marketing and related support services. Mechanic and repair technologies is third, at 5.9%.

Statewide, the top areas of study for technical college students are healthcare (33.1%), business (13.8%), mechanic and repair (9.7%), engineering (8.2%) and precision production (7.6%).

Enrollment at York Tech

Schools vary in enrollment from more than 20,000 students at Trident Technical College in North Charleston to 917 students at Williamsburg Technical College. York Tech has an annual enrollment of 6,627 students.

For comparison, nearby Winthrop University has nearly 5,300 undergraduate students.

Building projects at York Tech

York Tech has nearly $55 million in planned capital investment. That includes $42.5 million for administration, students services and health buildings. It also includes $12.3 million for renovations, replacements, expansions and mechanical projects.

Temporary construction on those investments will create 165 jobs, and $76.2 million of economic impact.