Find Trade Colleges

South Carolina Colleges

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. Students who are able to take advantage of in-state tuition will only pay an average of $14,043 per year to get their degree at a college in South Carolina, while out of state students will pay an average of $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

There are 1,673 full-time undergraduates at Piedmont Technical College, and 4,712 students altogether. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 15 to 1.

Roughly 23% of students at Piedmont Technical College take out loans to pay for college. The average amount of student loans is $5,704 a year. Piedmont Technical College has a 5.6% 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 $29,247 during the early-career years.

#2

Greenville Technical College

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

The total student population at Greenville Technical College is 10,536, which includes 4,387 full-time undergraduates. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 14 to 1.

Roughly 13% of students at GTC take out loans to pay for college. The typical student loan amount 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%!

A typical bachelor’s-degree holder from this school earns an average of $32,376 during the early-career years.

#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 typical student loan amount 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

There are 5,582 students at TCTC in total, 3,120 are full-time undergraduates. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 19 to 1.

Approximately 22% of the students who attend this school take out loans. The typical student loan amount 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.

19% of Trident Technical College students take out loans to afford college costs. The typical student loan amount is $3,294 a year. The student loan default rate of 4.9% means most graduates are not struggling to pay off their loans.

Students who graduate from Trident Technical College with a bachelor’s degree make an average of $30,514 during the early years of their career after graduation.

#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 average amount of student loans is $3,763 a year. The school reports a student loan default rate of 2.4% which is much lower than the average rate of 10.8%!

A typical bachelor’s-degree holder from this school earns an average of $30,976 during the early-career years.

#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.

81% of Arclabs students take out loans to afford college costs. The typical student loan amount 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 4,108 students at Spartanburg Community College in total, 1,850 are full-time undergraduates. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 20 to 1.

Roughly 7% of students at Spartanburg Community College take out loans to pay for college. The typical student loan amount is $3,428 a year. The student loan default rate of 2.7% means most graduates are not struggling to pay off their loans.

A typical bachelor’s-degree holder from this school earns an average of $31,450 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 8,794 students at MTC in total, 3,770 are full-time undergraduates. 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 average amount of student loans is $4,823 a year. The school reports a student loan default rate of 2.8% which is much lower than the average rate of 10.8%!

Students who graduate from MTC with a bachelor’s degree make an average of $31,177 during the early years of their career after graduation.

#10

Florence-Darlington Technical College

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

The total student population at Florence-Darlington Technical College is 3,315, which includes 1,259 full-time undergraduates. 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. The school reports a student loan default rate of 4.6% which is much lower than the average rate of 10.8%!

A typical bachelor’s-degree holder from this school earns an average of $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 646 full-time undergraduates at OCtech, and 2,257 students altogether. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 13 to 1.

7% of OCtech students take out loans to afford college costs. The average amount of student loans 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.

Approximately 42% of the students who attend this school take out loans. The average amount of student loans is $9,109 a year. The school reports a student loan default rate of 3.5% which is much lower than the average rate of 10.8%!

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

There are 317 full-time undergraduates at MMC Conway, and 323 students altogether. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 26 to 1.

Approximately 47% of the students who attend this school take out loans. The typical student loan amount 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.

Roughly 3% of students at Central Carolina take out loans to pay for college. The average amount of student loans is $4,414 a year. Central Carolina has a 5.3% 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 $27,203 during the early-career years.

#15

Southeastern Esthetics Institute

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

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

Roughly 60% of students at Southeastern Esthetics Institute take out loans to pay for college. 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

There are 569 students at Fortis College - Columbia in total, 568 are full-time undergraduates. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 21 to 1.

75% of Fortis College - Columbia students take out loans to afford college costs. The typical student loan amount is $8,297 a year. The student loan default rate of 4.1% means most graduates are not struggling to pay off their loans.

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. Students tend to stick around at Southeastern College - Charleston. The freshman retention rate is 87%.

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

Roughly 80% of students at Southeastern College - Charleston take out loans to pay for college. 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 20,868 undergraduates at Clemson, of which 20,021 are full-time, and there are 26,406 students altogether. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 16 to 1.

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 student loan default rate of 4.0% means most graduates are not struggling to pay off their loans.

A typical bachelor’s-degree holder from this school earns an average of $30,855 during the early-career years.

#20

Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology-Goose Creek

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

The total student population at Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology-Goose Creek is 157, which includes 62 full-time undergraduates. The freshman retention rate at Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology is 100%, which is great when compared to the national average of 68%.

Approximately 75% of the students who attend this school take out loans. The average amount of student loans is $6,550 a year. The school reports a student loan default rate of 1.2% which is much lower than the average rate of 10.8%!

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 156 students at Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology-Florence in total, 81 are full-time undergraduates. 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. Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology-Florence has a 2.4% 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 $21,071 during the early-career years.

#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. Students tend to stick around at Paul Mitchell the School Charleston. The freshman retention rate is 91%.

Roughly 80% of students at Paul Mitchell the School Charleston take out loans to pay for college. The typical student loan amount is $8,351 a year. The school reports a student loan default rate of 4.2% which is much lower than the average rate of 10.8%!

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

The total student population at Southeastern College - Columbia is 193, which includes 112 full-time undergraduates. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 13 to 1.

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

91% of Southeastern College - Columbia students take out loans to afford college costs. The typical student loan amount is $12,823 a year. The school reports a student loan default rate of 3.6% which is much lower than the average rate of 10.8%!

Students who graduate from Southeastern College - Columbia with a bachelor’s degree make an average of $25,484 during the early years of their career after graduation.

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

There are 66 full-time undergraduates at Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology-Rock Hill, and 161 students altogether. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 20 to 1.

Roughly 68% of students at Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology-Rock Hill take out loans to pay for college. The typical student loan amount is $6,708 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 $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.

Roughly 85% of students at Paul Mitchell the School Columbia take out loans to pay for college. The average amount of student loans is $8,566 a year. Paul Mitchell the School Columbia has a 4.2% 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 Paul Mitchell the School Columbia is $22,949.

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

More about our data sources and methodologies.

Find Trade Schools Near You

Our free school finder matches students with accredited trade schools across the U.S.