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South Carolina Colleges

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South Carolina Trade Schools

69 Colleges
$56,172 Avg 4-Year Tuition (In-State)
$27,498 Avg 4-Year Student Loan

South Carolina ranked #30 in the nation for trade school degrees handed out in 2021. Around 9,537 students received some type of diploma that year. South Carolina colleges offer students average in-student tuition of $14,043 per year, while students attending fron out-of-state may pay something more like $18,271 per year.

About 61% of students who go to college in this state take out loans, with the average yearly loan amount being $6,875 per year.

Learn more about the most popular schools below:

#1

Piedmont Technical College

Greenwood, South Carolina
Public Public vs. Private
$5,315 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
23% Freshmen Loans

The total student population at Piedmont Technical College is 4,712, which includes 1,673 full-time undergraduates. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 15 to 1.

23% of Piedmont Technical College students take out loans to afford college costs. The average amount of student loans is $5,704 a year. The school reports a student loan default rate of 5.6% which is much lower than the average rate of 10.8%!

Students who graduate from Piedmont Technical College with a bachelor’s degree make an average of $29,247 during the early years of their career after graduation.

#2

Greenville Technical College

Greenville, South Carolina
Public Public vs. Private
$5,882 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
13% Freshmen Loans

There are 10,536 students at GTC in total, 4,387 are full-time undergraduates. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 14 to 1.

Approximately 13% of the students who attend this school take out loans. The average amount of student loans is $4,741 a year. The school reports a student loan default rate of 5.4% which is much lower than the average rate of 10.8%!

The early-career average earnings of bachelor’s-degree holders from GTC is $32,376.

#3

Horry-Georgetown Technical College

Conway, South Carolina
Public Public vs. Private
$5,356 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
33% Freshmen Loans

There are 3,056 full-time undergraduates at Horry-Georgetown Technical College, and 6,409 students altogether. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 20 to 1.

Approximately 33% of the students who attend this school take out loans. The average amount of student loans is $5,217 a year. The school reports a student loan default rate of 6.8% which is much lower than the average rate of 10.8%!

Students who graduate from Horry-Georgetown Technical College with a bachelor’s degree make an average of $29,194 during the early years of their career after graduation.

#4

Tri-County Technical College

Pendleton, South Carolina
Public Public vs. Private
$5,936 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
22% Freshmen Loans

The total student population at Tri-County Technical College is 5,582, which includes 3,120 full-time undergraduates. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 19 to 1.

22% of TCTC students take out loans to afford college costs. The average amount of student loans is $6,843 a year. TCTC has a 1.8% student default rate. This is excellent when you compare it to the national rate of 10.8%.

Students who graduate from TCTC with a bachelor’s degree make an average of $33,921 during the early years of their career after graduation.

#5

Trident Technical College

Charleston, South Carolina
Public Public vs. Private
$5,059 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
19% Freshmen Loans

The total student population at Trident Technical College is 11,650, which includes 4,225 full-time undergraduates. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 19 to 1.

Approximately 19% of the students who attend this school take out loans. The average amount of student loans is $3,294 a year. The school reports a student loan default rate of 4.9% which is much lower than the average rate of 10.8%!

The early-career average earnings of bachelor’s-degree holders from Trident Technical College is $30,514.

#6

York Technical College

Rock Hill, South Carolina
Public Public vs. Private
$5,882 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
16% Freshmen Loans

There are 4,178 students at York Technical College in total, 2,036 are full-time undergraduates. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 18 to 1.

Roughly 16% of students at York Technical College take out loans to pay for college. The typical student loan amount is $3,763 a year. York Technical College has a 2.4% student default rate. This is excellent when you compare it to the national rate of 10.8%.

The early-career average earnings of bachelor’s-degree holders from York Technical College is $30,976.

#7

Arclabs

Piedmont, South Carolina
Private for-profit Public vs. Private
81% Freshmen Loans

The total student population at Arclabs is 552, which includes 315 full-time undergraduates. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 17 to 1.

Roughly 81% of students at Arclabs take out loans to pay for college. The average amount of student loans is $7,729 a year. The school reports a student loan default rate of 4.5% which is much lower than the average rate of 10.8%!

#8

Spartanburg Community College

Spartanburg, South Carolina
Public Public vs. Private
$6,030 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
7% Freshmen Loans

There are 1,850 full-time undergraduates at Spartanburg Community College, and 4,108 students altogether. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 20 to 1.

7% of Spartanburg Community College students take out loans to afford college costs. The typical student loan amount is $3,428 a year. Spartanburg Community College has a 2.7% student default rate. This is excellent when you compare it to the national rate of 10.8%.

A typical bachelor’s-degree holder from this school earns an average of $31,450 during the early-career years.

#9

Midlands Technical College

West Columbia, South Carolina
Public Public vs. Private
$5,916 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
18% Freshmen Loans

There are 3,770 full-time undergraduates at MTC, and 8,794 students altogether. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 17 to 1.

Roughly 18% of students at MTC take out loans to pay for college. The typical student loan amount is $4,823 a year. The student loan default rate of 2.8% means most graduates are not struggling to pay off their loans.

A typical bachelor’s-degree holder from this school earns an average of $31,177 during the early-career years.

#10

Florence-Darlington Technical College

Florence, South Carolina
Public Public vs. Private
$4,900 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
13% Freshmen Loans

There are 1,259 full-time undergraduates at Florence-Darlington Technical College, and 3,315 students altogether. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 16 to 1.

Approximately 13% of the students who attend this school take out loans. The typical student loan amount is $3,548 a year. Florence-Darlington Technical College has a 4.6% student default rate. This is excellent when you compare it to the national rate of 10.8%.

A typical bachelor’s-degree holder from this school earns an average of $25,495 during the early-career years.

#11

Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College

Orangeburg, South Carolina
Public Public vs. Private
$5,954 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
7% Freshmen Loans

There are 2,257 students at OCtech in total, 646 are full-time undergraduates. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 13 to 1.

Approximately 7% of the students who attend this school take out loans. The typical student loan amount is $3,515 a year. OCtech has a 4.7% student default rate. This is excellent when you compare it to the national rate of 10.8%.

Students who graduate from OCtech with a bachelor’s degree make an average of $29,154 during the early years of their career after graduation.

#12

Miller-Motte College Charleston

Charleston, South Carolina
Private for-profit Public vs. Private
42% Freshmen Loans

The total student population at Miller-Motte College Charleston is 309, which includes 299 full-time undergraduates. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 16 to 1.

Roughly 42% of students at MMC Charleston take out loans to pay for college. The average amount of student loans is $9,109 a year. The student loan default rate of 3.5% means most graduates are not struggling to pay off their loans.

The early-career average earnings of bachelor’s-degree holders from MMC Charleston is $25,392.

#12

Miller-Motte College Conway

Conway, South Carolina
Private for-profit Public vs. Private
47% Freshmen Loans

The total student population at Miller-Motte College Conway is 323, which includes 317 full-time undergraduates. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 26 to 1.

Roughly 47% of students at MMC Conway take out loans to pay for college. The average amount of student loans is $8,199 a year. The school reports a student loan default rate of 3.5% which is much lower than the average rate of 10.8%!

A typical bachelor’s-degree holder from this school earns an average of $25,392 during the early-career years.

#14

Central Carolina Technical College

Sumter, South Carolina
Public Public vs. Private
$6,594 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
3% Freshmen Loans

There are 904 full-time undergraduates at Central Carolina, and 2,885 students altogether. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 12 to 1.

Approximately 3% of the students who attend this school take out loans. The average amount of student loans is $4,414 a year. The student loan default rate of 5.3% means most graduates are not struggling to pay off their loans.

The early-career average earnings of bachelor’s-degree holders from Central Carolina is $27,203.

#15

Southeastern Esthetics Institute

Columbia, South Carolina
Private for-profit Public vs. Private
60% Freshmen Loans

There are 112 full-time undergraduates at Southeastern Esthetics Institute, and 123 students altogether. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 20 to 1.

Approximately 60% of the students who attend this school take out loans. The average amount of student loans is $5,140 a year.

#16

Fortis College - Columbia

Columbia, South Carolina
Private for-profit Public vs. Private
$14,872 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
75% Freshmen Loans

The total student population at Fortis College - Columbia is 569, which includes 568 full-time undergraduates. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 21 to 1.

Approximately 75% of the students who attend this school take out loans. The typical student loan amount is $8,297 a year. Fortis College - Columbia has a 4.1% student default rate. This is excellent when you compare it to the national rate of 10.8%.

The early-career average earnings of bachelor’s-degree holders from Fortis College - Columbia is $30,440.

#17

Southeastern College - Charleston

North Charleston, South Carolina
Private for-profit Public vs. Private
$23,324 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
80% Freshmen Loans

There are 200 students at Southeastern College - Charleston in total, 111 are full-time undergraduates. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 14 to 1.

Around 100% of students who apply get accepted. Of the accepted students, 5% are men and 95% are women.

Approximately 80% of the students who attend this school take out loans. The average amount of student loans is $13,748 a year. The student loan default rate of 5.0% means most graduates are not struggling to pay off their loans.

The early-career average earnings of bachelor’s-degree holders from Southeastern College - Charleston is $30,314.

#18

Clemson University

Clemson, South Carolina
Public Public vs. Private
$15,558 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
43% Freshmen Loans

There are 26,406 students at Clemson in total, 20,868 of which are undergraduates, and of those, 20,021 are full-time. It takes the average Clemson undergraduate about 4.3 years to complete their degree.

The school doesn’t accept everyone who applies - it has an acceptance rate of 49%. Of the accepted students, 37% are men and 63% are women.

Approximately 43% of the students who attend this school take out loans. The average amount of student loans is $9,843 a year. The student loan default rate of 0.6% means most graduates are not struggling to pay off their loans.

A typical bachelor’s-degree holder from this school earns an average of $56,107 during the early-career years.

#19

Aiken Technical College

Graniteville, South Carolina
Public Public vs. Private
$5,306 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
6% Freshmen Loans

There are 1,925 students at Aiken Technical College in total, 608 are full-time undergraduates. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 12 to 1.

6% of Aiken Technical College students take out loans to afford college costs. The typical student loan amount is $5,597 a year. The school reports a student loan default rate of 4.0% which is much lower than the average rate of 10.8%!

Students who graduate from Aiken Technical College with a bachelor’s degree make an average of $30,855 during the early years of their career after graduation.

#20

Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology-Goose Creek

Goose Creek, South Carolina
Private for-profit Public vs. Private
75% Freshmen Loans

There are 62 full-time undergraduates at Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology, and 157 students altogether. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 20 to 1.

75% of Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology students take out loans to afford college costs. The average amount of student loans is $6,550 a year. The student loan default rate of 1.2% means most graduates are not struggling to pay off their loans.

Students who graduate from Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology with a bachelor’s degree make an average of $19,673 during the early years of their career after graduation.

Private for-profit Public vs. Private
74% Freshmen Loans

There are 81 full-time undergraduates at Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology-Florence, and 156 students altogether. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 20 to 1.

74% of Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology-Florence students take out loans to afford college costs. The typical student loan amount is $7,284 a year. The student loan default rate of 2.4% means most graduates are not struggling to pay off their loans.

Students who graduate from Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology-Florence with a bachelor’s degree make an average of $21,071 during the early years of their career after graduation.

#22

Paul Mitchell the School Charleston

North Charleston, South Carolina
Private for-profit Public vs. Private
80% Freshmen Loans

There are 209 students at Paul Mitchell the School Charleston in total, 147 are full-time undergraduates. Paul Mitchell the School Charleston has a freshman retention rate of 91%, which is a good sign that once students arrive at the school, they want to stay.

80% of Paul Mitchell the School Charleston students take out loans to afford college costs. The typical student loan amount is $8,351 a year. The student loan default rate of 4.2% means most graduates are not struggling to pay off their loans.

The early-career average earnings of bachelor’s-degree holders from Paul Mitchell the School Charleston is $22,949.

#23

Southeastern College - Columbia

Columbia, South Carolina
Private for-profit Public vs. Private
$23,324 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
91% Freshmen Loans

There are 193 students at Southeastern College - Columbia in total, 112 are full-time undergraduates. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 13 to 1.

Around 100% of students who apply get accepted. Of the accepted students, 14% are men and 86% are women.

Approximately 91% of the students who attend this school take out loans. The typical student loan amount is $12,823 a year. The student loan default rate of 3.6% means most graduates are not struggling to pay off their loans.

A typical bachelor’s-degree holder from this school earns an average of $25,484 during the early-career years.

Private for-profit Public vs. Private
68% Freshmen Loans

The total student population at Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology-Rock Hill is 161, which includes 66 full-time undergraduates. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 20 to 1.

Approximately 68% of the students who attend this school take out loans. The average amount of student loans is $6,708 a year. The school reports a student loan default rate of 0.6% which is much lower than the average rate of 10.8%!

A typical bachelor’s-degree holder from this school earns an average of $18,322 during the early-career years.

#25

Paul Mitchell the School Columbia

West Columbia, South Carolina
Private for-profit Public vs. Private
85% Freshmen Loans

The total student population at Paul Mitchell the School Columbia is 199, which includes 147 full-time undergraduates. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 15 to 1.

85% of Paul Mitchell the School Columbia students take out loans to afford college costs. The typical student loan amount is $8,566 a year. The student loan default rate of 4.2% means most graduates are not struggling to pay off their loans.

A typical bachelor’s-degree holder from this school earns an average of $22,949 during the early-career years.

Other South Carolina Trade Schools

Rank School Yearly Graduations
26 Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology-Spartanburg 86
27 Technical College of the Lowcountry 82
28 Academy of Hair Technology 81
28 Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology-Columbia 81
30 Northeastern Technical College 79
31 Francis Marion University 78
32 Charleston Cosmetology Institute 71
33 Paul Mitchell the School Greenville 68
34 Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology-North Augusta 59
35 Strand College of Hair Design 55
36 Construction Training Center 50
37 Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology-Greenville 48
38 South University, Columbia 46
39 Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology and Nails-Columbia 43
40 Williamsburg Technical College 39
41 Bob Jones University 36
42 Denmark Technical College 35
43 North Greenville University 34
44 Newberry College 29
45 Converse College 25
45 Limestone College 25
47 VSKI Cosmetology School 24
48 University of South Carolina - Columbia 21
49 Medical University of South Carolina 19
50 South Carolina State University 16
50 Aiken School of Cosmetology and Barbering 16
52 Coastal Carolina University 15
53 University of South Carolina - Upstate 14
53 Academy for Careers and Technology 14
53 Barber Tech Academy 14
56 Charleston Southern University 13
56 Charzanne Beauty College 13
58 LeGrand Institute of Cosmetology Inc 12
59 Morris College 11
59 Winthrop University 11
59 B-Unique Beauty and Barber Academy 11
62 Top of the Line Barber College 10
63 Erskine College 9
64 Columbia College 4
65 Benedict College 3
66 Coker University 1
67 Anderson University South Carolina 0
67 Southern Wesleyan University 0
67 Claflin University 0

References

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