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Most Popular Basic Certificate Trade Schools in South Carolina

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2023 Most Popular Basic Certificate Trade Schools in South Carolina

39 Schools Ranked
$7,018 Avg Tuition & Fees*

A trade school student has lots of options to pick from when considering higher education opportunities. You can choose a traditional brick and mortar school, or with the growth of online education, you can attend a school half-way across the country without even leaving your house.

Along with in-depth profiles of schools and the programs they offer, Trade College Search has created the Most Popular Basic Certificate Trade Schools in South Carolina to help you in your search for the best school for you. Our analysis looked at 39 schools in South Carolina to see which basic certificate programs were the most popular for trade school students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from each school on the list.

Learn more about these popular schools below:

#1

Piedmont Technical College

Greenwood, South Carolina
918 Total Awards
$5,315 Average Tuition & Fees

Our 2023 rankings named Piedmont Technical College the most popular school in South Carolina for trade school students working on their basic certificate. Piedmont Technical College is a medium-sized public school situated in Greenwood, South Carolina. It awarded 918 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

Full-time students from South Carolina pay an average of $5,315 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Piedmont Technical College. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $6,593. Around 53% of those degree recipients were women.

Online courses are available at Piedmont Technical College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In fact, around 68% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Piedmont Technical College

#2

Horry-Georgetown Technical College

Conway, South Carolina
647 Total Awards
$5,356 Average Tuition & Fees

A rank of #2 on this year’s list means Horry-Georgetown Technical College is a great place for trade school students working on their basic certificate. Located in Conway, South Carolina, the medium-sized public school awarded 647 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students in 2021-2022.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Horry-Georgetown Technical College is $5,356. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $8,593. Of those students who received their degree, 52% were women.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Horry-Georgetown Technical College does offer online classes for certain majors. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 72% took at least some of their classes online.

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#3

York Technical College

Rock Hill, South Carolina
622 Total Awards
$5,882 Average Tuition & Fees

The excellent basic certificate programs at York Technical College helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular trade school schools in South Carolina. Located in Rock Hill, South Carolina, the small public school handed out 622 basic certificate awards in 2021-2022.

Full-time students from South Carolina pay an average of $5,882 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend York Technical College. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $10,824. Of those students who received their degree, 62% were women.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at York Technical College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 80% took at least some of their classes online.

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#4

Trident Technical College

Charleston, South Carolina
1,107 Total Awards
$5,059 Average Tuition & Fees

Out of the 39 schools in South Carolina that were part of this year’s ranking, Trident Technical College landed the # 4 spot on the list. This fairly large public school is located in Charleston, South Carolina, and it awarded 1,107 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

In-state students pay an average of $5,059 in tuition and fees if they attend Trident Technical College full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $8,606. Around 60% of those degree recipients were women.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Trident Technical College does offer online classes for certain majors. During the 2020-2021 year, about 75% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

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#5

Tri-County Technical College

Pendleton, South Carolina
1,520 Total Awards
$5,936 Average Tuition & Fees

The excellent basic certificate programs at Tri-County Technical College helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular trade school schools in South Carolina. Located in Pendleton, South Carolina, the medium-sized public school handed out 1,520 basic certificate awards in 2021-2022.

Full-time students from South Carolina pay an average of $5,936 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend TCTC. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $10,832. Of those students who received their degree, 46% were women.

Some students may be able to take online classes at TCTC. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 46% took at least some of their classes online.

Full Tri-County Technical College Report

#6

Greenville Technical College

Greenville, South Carolina
574 Total Awards
$5,882 Average Tuition & Fees

Greenville Technical College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Basic Certificate Trade Schools in South Carolina ranking. GTC is a public institution located in Greenville, South Carolina. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 574 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

Students from South Carolina who attend GTC full time pay an average of $5,882 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $10,202. Of those students who received their degree, 51% were women.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at GTC. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 82% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Full Greenville Technical College Report

#7

Spartanburg Community College

Spartanburg, South Carolina
362 Total Awards
$6,030 Average Tuition & Fees

Spartanburg Community College ranked #7 on this year’s Most Popular Basic Certificate Trade Schools in South Carolina list. Spartanburg Community College is a medium-sized public school located in Spartanburg, South Carolina that handed out 362 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

In-state students pay an average of $6,030 in tuition and fees if they attend Spartanburg Community College full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $9,822. Around 31% of those degree recipients were women.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Spartanburg Community College does offer online classes for certain majors. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 57% took at least some of their classes online.

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#8

Midlands Technical College

West Columbia, South Carolina
597 Total Awards
$5,916 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #8, Midlands Technical College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working on their basic certificate. Midlands Technical College is a medium-sized public school located in West Columbia, South Carolina that handed out 597 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

In-state students pay an average of $5,916 in tuition and fees if they attend MTC full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $13,812. Of those students who received their degree, 71% were women.

MTC does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In 2020-2021 about 76% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read full report on Midlands Technical College

#9

Southeastern Esthetics Institute

Columbia, South Carolina
339 Total Awards

Southeastern Esthetics Institute did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students to get a basic certificate. It came in at #9 on the list. Southeastern Esthetics Institute is a very small private for-profit school situated in Columbia, South Carolina. It awarded 339 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

Of those students who received their degree, 99% were women.

Full Southeastern Esthetics Institute Report

#10

Central Carolina Technical College

Sumter, South Carolina
255 Total Awards
$6,594 Average Tuition & Fees

Central Carolina Technical College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students to get a basic certificate. It came in at #10 on the list. Central Carolina is a public institution located in Sumter, South Carolina. The school has a small population, and it awarded 255 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

Full-time students from South Carolina pay an average of $6,594 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Central Carolina. Out-of-state students pay an average of $9,016. Of those students who received their degree, 46% were women.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Central Carolina does offer online classes for certain majors. During the 2020-2021 year, about 61% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read More…

#11

Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College

Orangeburg, South Carolina
378 Total Awards
$5,954 Average Tuition & Fees

Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students to get a basic certificate. It came in at #11 on the list. Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College is a small public school located in Orangeburg, South Carolina that handed out 378 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at OCtech is $5,954. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $7,970. Of those students who received their degree, 60% were women.

OCtech does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. In fact, around 84% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Full Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College Report

#12

Miller-Motte College Conway

Conway, South Carolina
163 Total Awards

Miller-Motte College Conway came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Basic Certificate Trade Schools in South Carolina ranking. Located in Conway, South Carolina, the very small private for-profit school awarded 163 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students in 2021-2022.

Around 13% of those degree recipients were women.

Online courses are available at MMC Conway, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In 2020-2021 about 38% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read full report on Miller-Motte College Conway

#13

Miller-Motte College Charleston

Charleston, South Carolina
147 Total Awards

Miller-Motte College Charleston landed the #13 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular basic certificate trade school programs. Miller-Motte College Charleston is a very small private for-profit school located in Charleston, South Carolina that handed out 147 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

Of those students who received their degree, 16% were women.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at MMC Charleston. During the 2020-2021 year, about 38% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Full Miller-Motte College Charleston Report

#14

Florence-Darlington Technical College

Florence, South Carolina
255 Total Awards
$4,900 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #14, Florence-Darlington Technical College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working on their basic certificate. Florence-Darlington Technical College is a public institution located in Florence, South Carolina. The school has a small population, and it awarded 255 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

In-state students pay an average of $4,900 in tuition and fees if they attend Florence-Darlington Technical College full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $6,772. Of those students who received their degree, 27% were women.

Florence-Darlington Technical College does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 65% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

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#15

Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology-Goose Creek

Goose Creek, South Carolina
122 Total Awards

Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology-Goose Creek landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular basic certificate trade school programs. Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology is a private for-profit institution located in Goose Creek, South Carolina. The school has a very small population, and it awarded 122 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

Around 100% of those degree recipients were women.

Full Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology-Goose Creek Report

#16

Academy of Hair Technology

Greenville, South Carolina
66 Total Awards

Academy of Hair Technology came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Basic Certificate Trade Schools in South Carolina ranking. Academy of Hair Technology is located in Greenville, South Carolina and has a very small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 66 basic certificates to qualified students.

Of those students who received their degree, 100% were women.

Full Academy of Hair Technology Report

#17

Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology-Spartanburg

Spartanburg, South Carolina
87 Total Awards

Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology-Spartanburg ranked #17 on this year’s Most Popular Basic Certificate Trade Schools in South Carolina list. Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology-Spartanburg is located in Spartanburg, South Carolina and has a very small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 87 basic certificates to qualified students.

Of those students who received their degree, 100% were women.

Full Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology-Spartanburg Report

106 Total Awards

With a ranking of #18, Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology-Columbia did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working on their basic certificate. Located in Columbia, South Carolina, the very small private for-profit school handed out 106 basic certificate awards in 2021-2022.

Of those students who received their degree, 100% were women.

Read More…

#19

Charleston Cosmetology Institute

Charleston, South Carolina
70 Total Awards

Charleston Cosmetology Institute did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students to get a basic certificate. It came in at #19 on the list. Located in Charleston, South Carolina, the very small private for-profit school awarded 70 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students in 2021-2022.

Around 99% of those degree recipients were women.

Full Charleston Cosmetology Institute Report

#20

Technical College of the Lowcountry

Beaufort, South Carolina
83 Total Awards
$6,076 Average Tuition & Fees

Technical College of the Lowcountry did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students to get a basic certificate. It came in at #20 on the list. Technical College of the Lowcountry is a small public school located in Beaufort, South Carolina that handed out 83 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

Full-time students from South Carolina pay an average of $6,076 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend TCL. Out-of-state students pay an average of $11,020. Of those students who received their degree, 58% were women.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since TCL does offer online classes for certain majors. In 2020-2021 about 72% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read full report on Technical College of the Lowcountry

114 Total Awards

Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology-Rock Hill ranked #21 on this year’s Most Popular Basic Certificate Trade Schools in South Carolina list. Rock Hill, South Carolina is the setting for this very small institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out basic certificates to 114 students in 2021-2022.

Of those students who received their degree, 100% were women.

Read full report on Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology-Rock Hill

49 Total Awards

Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology-Florence came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Basic Certificate Trade Schools in South Carolina ranking. Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology-Florence is a private for-profit institution located in Florence, South Carolina. The school has a very small population, and it awarded 49 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

Around 100% of those degree recipients were women.

Read full report on Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology-Florence

#23

Arclabs

Piedmont, South Carolina
36 Total Awards

Arclabs ranked #23 on this year’s Most Popular Basic Certificate Trade Schools in South Carolina list. Arclabs is located in Piedmont, South Carolina and has a very small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 36 basic certificates to qualified students.

Around 8% of those degree recipients were women.

Read More…

#24

Northeastern Technical College

Cheraw, South Carolina
230 Total Awards
$6,024 Average Tuition & Fees

Northeastern Technical College landed the #24 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular basic certificate trade school programs. Located in Cheraw, South Carolina, the small public school awarded 230 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students in 2021-2022.

If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $6,024 to cover tuition and fees at Northeastern Technical College. The school does not offer an in-state discount. Around 83% of those degree recipients were women.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Northeastern Technical College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 84% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Read More…

#25

Southeastern College - Columbia

Columbia, South Carolina
90 Total Awards
$23,324 Average Tuition & Fees

Southeastern College - Columbia did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students to get a basic certificate. It came in at #25 on the list. Located in Columbia, South Carolina, the very small private for-profit school awarded 90 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students in 2021-2022.

If you want to attend Southeastern College - Columbia, expect to pay an average of $23,324 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. Of those students who received their degree, 87% were women.

Some students may be able to take online classes at Southeastern College - Columbia. In 2020-2021 about 4% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read More…

View Most Popular Trade School Basic Certificate Schools Nationwide >

Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.

References

  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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