Best Community Colleges in South Carolina of 2023

Although based in Spartanburg, Spartanburg Community College serves students throughout upstate South Carolina through five campuses located in Spartanburg, Union, and Cherokee Counties. The community college’s main campus (the Spartanburg Giles campus) offers certificates and associate degrees in areas such as Business, Education, and Manufacturing. Overall, students at Spartanburg Community College can choose between more than 70 programs in growing industries and areas of professional development. SCC is also a great choice for students who are interested in pursuing a bachelor’ degree. Through the University Transfer Program, students at SCC can apply previously earned credits toward a degree at a four-year university.

Central Carolina Technical College serves students throughout Clarendon, Lee, Sumter, and Kershaw Counties. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 16:1, classes at CCTC have the close-knit feel of a much smaller university and allow students the chance to develop meaningful connections with the faculty and their peers. Over 8,500 students enroll every year in the college’s 55+ associate degree and certification programs. Additionally, CCTC offers 15 online programs for students who require flexible course schedules. The CCTC Alumni Partnership offers students the chance to stay in contact with other alumni and make professional connections long after they have completed their degrees at CCTC.

Horry-Georgetown Technical College is a public two-year college with three campuses in Conway, Myrtle Beach, and Georgetown. HGTC is dedicated to making associate degrees and professional certifications a possibility for working students; in fact, over half the enrolled students at Horry-Georgetown attend classes part time, allowing them to work while pursuing an education. For many students throughout South Carolina, the low cost of HGTC degrees makes dreams of further education a reality. HGTC offers the most affordable tuition of the colleges on this list; in-state students pay just $171 per credit. In the future, HGTC hopes to expand their course offerings and make their programs more accessible for a more diverse range of students.

Located in a small town in the Sandhill region of South Carolina, Aiken Technical College serves thousands of students throughout greater Aiken County. Students at Aiken Technical College can expect an engaging, innovative curriculum and extracurricular offerings. For example, as part of Aiken’s Quality Enhancement Plan, the college founded the school’s student-run literary journal, Creative Minds, to help foster a thriving community of readers and writers. There are four main areas of study and program concentrations at Aiken Technical College: General Education & University Transfer, Health Sciences, Nursing, and Technical and Continuing Education. Within these areas of study, students can choose between a number of specialized associate degrees and professional certifications.

Trident Technical College, a two-year college serving Charleston, Dorchester, and Berkeley Counties, enrolls approximately 12,000 students in over 150 areas of study. In addition to the traditional spring, summer, and fall semesters, TTC offers three-week “minimesters” to accommodate a variety of student schedules. TTC also offers a variety of quality student services such as their Student Success Centers, Scholars Network, and Educational Opportunity Program. For students interested in beginning their studies before spring 2024, a new program allows the majority of in-state TCC students to attend courses without paying tuition. To see if they are eligible for this tuition waiver, prospective students should complete their application and FAFSA by the posted deadline.

Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College serves students in Orangeburg and Calhoun Counties. Located in a rural town, the college enrolls approximately 2,500 students every year. OCTC’s most popular subject areas and degree plans are in the Nursing and Humanities departments. Many students pursue the associate degree in Nursing to prepare for their NCLEX-RN exam. Additionally, Orangeburg Calhoun’s Division of Corporate Training and Economic Development offers professional development courses for those looking to build upon their technical skills. This department offers programs in a variety of fields, including Real Estate, Medical Billing and Coding, and Clinical Dentistry.

Students in Chesterfield, Marlboro, and Dillon Counties can pursue associate degrees and professional certificates at Northeastern Technical College. Located in the city of Cheraw, NTC offers students many opportunities to develop professional skills while enrolled in a degree or certificate program. One of NTC’s most unique opportunities for students is the Schaeffler Apprenticeship Program. This program allows students to enter into a full-time paid position at Schaeffler while receiving credit toward their associate degree in Machine Tool Technology. Additionally, students in the Early Childhood Education program can train in the Compass Point prekindergarten classes to gain firsthand experience in early childhood education.

Piedmont Technical College is a two-year college based out of the city of Greenwood. Serving seven different counties in South Carolina’s Lakelands region, PTC has the largest geographic service area of any community college in the state. It offers over 80 programs of study that can be transferred toward a bachelor’s degree at one of South Carolina’s four-year universities. Piedmont’s Transfer Degree, Bridge Programs, and Technical Transfer offer students a variety of ways to pursue a transfer to a four-year university. For students who are interested in pursuing solely an associate degree, PTC offers degrees in Agriculture, Engineering Technology, Health Care, Business, and Commercial Art.

Dedicated to providing a career-oriented education, the Technical College of the Lowcountry is a community college in Beaufort offering over 60 programs of study and 230 online classes. Graduating over 300 students every year, more than 10,000 of the college’s alumni currently work in South Carolina’s Lowcountry. The TCL enrolls an average of 2,000 students every year. However, the 19:1 student-to-faculty ratio ensures students receive individualized attention from their instructors and benefit from an engaging classroom environment. Degrees and certificates are available in the Arts, Building & Industrial, Health Sciences, Business, Education, Culinary & Hospitality, Law & Criminal Justice, and STEM subject areas.

Spartanburg Methodist College is a private nonprofit college associated with the United Methodist Church. Students can pursue an associate degree in six fields: Arts, Business, Criminal Justice, Fine Arts, Religious Studies, and Science. Many of these degrees are also available online to better accommodate a diverse range of students. Students at Spartanburg have the option to continue their program of study to a bachelor’s degree after two years of enrollment; however, regardless of their plans, all students will receive an associate degree after completing two years of coursework. With a 39% total graduation rate, Spartanburg Methodist College has one of the best graduation rates of all community colleges in South Carolina.