The path to higher education is flexible, accessible and affordable
at one of South Carolina’s 16 technical colleges.

There are many reasons to start your higher education path at one of South Carolina’s 16 technical colleges.

 

1,100+

Programs

Flexible.

Our colleges offer a wide variety of programs in South Carolina’s high-demand, high-paying fields. With 78 degrees, 28 diplomas and nearly 1,000 certificate programs offered across the state, your possibilities are endless. In addition, our colleges offer in-person, virtual, online, and hybrid course formats that are flexible and designed to meet you where you are in life.

<30

Minutes

Accessible.

Our colleges are geographically accessible across South Carolina, with one of our 16 main campuses or 64 satellite campuses no more than a 30-minute drive from you. This accessibility allows you to achieve your higher education dreams while remaining local.

91%

Job Placement

Affordable.

Our colleges are very affordable. The average annual tuition at one of our colleges is about one-third that of a four-year institution. In addition, our colleges offer a high return on investment with 91% of our graduates either employed in a job related to their education or successfully continuing their education.

 

Whether you are a high school student who wants to get a jump on a college degree or a career or a recent graduate who ultimately wants to transfer to a four-year college or university. You may be looking to stay at home and conveniently complete an online degree or program. No matter what your ultimate higher education goals may be – South Carolina’s technical colleges can get you there!

And the path is flexible, accessible and affordable. So, what are you waiting for?

10 Most Popular Programs

1. Nursing

Median Salary: $63,897

Projected 10-Year Job Growth: 19%

Projected Annual Job Openings: 3,130

2. Data Processing

Median Salary: $78,270

Projected 10-Year Job Growth: 14%

Projected Annual Job Openings: 90

3. Business Administration

Median Salary: $89,280

Projected 10-Year Job Growth: 13%

Projected Annual Job Openings: 320

4. Criminal Justice

Median Salary: $40,770

Projected 10-Year Job Growth: 7%

Projected Annual Job Openings: 880

5. Culinary Arts

Median Salary: $38,460

Projected 10-Year Job Growth: 21%

Projected Annual Job Openings: 600

6. Accounting

Median Salary: $58,640

Projected 10-Year Job Growth: 13%

Projected Annual Job Openings: 1,780

7. Public Administration / Social Services

Median Salary: $58,800

Projected 10-Year Job Growth: 18%

Projected Annual Job Openings: 130

8. Mechatronics

Average Salary: $68,140

Projected 10-Year Job Growth: 12%

Projected Annual Job Openings: 60

9. Information Technology

Median Salary: $76,370

Projected 10-Year Job Growth: 14%

Projected Annual Job Openings: 500

10. Transfer Programs

Our colleges offer students many paths for transfer through individual agreements with partnering institutions.

Dual Enrollment

Each year, tens of thousands of dedicated high school students take college courses through dual enrollment programs across the state.

Dual enrollment programs offer eligible high school students the opportunity to earn high school and college credit at the same time.

Dual enrollment was made possible in South Carolina by the 2005 Education and Economic Development Act. Now, dual enrollment is accessible to students in every county in South Carolina through their local technical college.

South Carolina’s 16 technical colleges provide high schoolers with quality, college-level courses aligned with accreditation standards. Generally, students can choose from general education courses designed for transfer or technical courses leading to in-demand certificates, diplomas or degrees.


Why Dual Enrollment?
  • There are a lot of reasons why you should take college courses while you’re in high school.
  • Gives you a head start on the college experience.
  • Saves you money and reduces the cost of a college education, lowering student loan debt.
  • Helps to lighten your college load.
  • Gets you ready for a high-demand technical field, providing quicker access to a high-paying job.
  • Prepares you to handle college-level work.
  • Gives you a chance to explore potential career paths and college majors early.
  • Makes available access to the college library and resources.
  • Transfers easily to a four-year college or university.
  • Offers smaller class sizes encouraging greater student success.
15,827
dually enrolled in 2021-22
798
different course offerings in 2021-22

Transfer Programs

The System’s transfer programs smoothly transition students from any of our 16 technical colleges to the four-year South Carolina college or university of their choice. We have agreements in place with most colleges and universities in the state, allowing students to achieve their educational ambitions in a timely and affordable manner.


How Transfer Works
  • Enroll in one of our transfer degree programs, bridge programs or in a specific transfer pathway. Our colleges’ advisers and admissions counselors will help you decide which is right for you and will work with you to select the appropriate courses.
  • Complete the coursework with a grade of “C” or better in each required course.
  • Seamlessly transfer to your chosen college or university and have your general education requirements completed. All courses transferred will be applied toward attaining your desired baccalaureate degree.

Transfer programs create access to four-year colleges and universities for technical graduates and help keep college affordable, allowing students to achieve their educational goals without adding financial burden. It is an integral part of our mission.

Our colleges offer students many paths for transfer through individual agreements with partnering institutions. These include program specific as well as general transfer agreements. A comprehensive listing is available at www.sctrac.org.

20

Systemwide transfer agreements

Online Learning

Online learning is a convenient, flexible and accessible college option. For some students, online learning makes otherwise inaccessible degree programs available and affordable. In addition, it often provides the much-needed flexibility to meet a busy and demanding life.


The Benefits of Online Learning
  • Geography is not a factor.
  • Flexibility to set your own schedule.
  • No transportation needed.
  • Go at your own speed.
  • Balance other responsibilities.
  • Varied level of interaction.
  • Enhance your technical skills.

Courses Offered

Our colleges provide a wide variety of courses online. Some of our colleges offer full Associate of Arts and Associate of Science programs online as well as other degree, diploma and certificate programs. The following list indicates just a sampling of the quality online college courses you can get through our technical colleges.

This course presents the following topics: a study of composition in conjunction with appropriate literary selections, with frequent theme assignments to reinforce effective writing. A review of standard usage and the basic techniques of research are also presented.
This course presents the following topics: development of writing skills through logical organization, effective style, literary analysis and research. An introduction to literary genre is also included.
This course is an introduction to principles of public speaking with application of speaking skills. Students entering this course must be able to communicate clearly with American speakers of English.
This course includes the following topics and concepts in the science of behavior: scientific method, biological bases for behavior, perception, motivation, learning memory, development, personality, abnormal behavior, therapeutic techniques, and social psychology.
This course emphasizes the fundamental concepts and principles of sociology, including culture, socialization, interaction, social groups and stratification, effects of population growth, and technology in society and social institutions.
This course includes the following topics: polynomial, rational, logarithmic, and exponential functions; inequalities; systems of equations and inequalities; matrices; determinants; simple linear programming; solutions of higher degree polynomials; combinatorial algebra, including the binomial theorem; and introduction to probability.
This course includes the following topics: circular functions; trigonometric identities; solution of right and oblique triangles; solution of trigonometric equations; polar coordinates; complex numbers, including DeMoivre's Theorem; vectors; conic sections; sequences; and series. (Graphic calculator required)
This course is a survey of western civilization from ancient times to 1689, including the major political, social, economic, and intellectual factors shaping western cultural tradition.
This course is an introduction to the study of music with focus on the elements of music and their relationships, the musical characteristics of representative works and composers, common musical forms and genres of various western and non-western historical style periods, and appropriate listening experiences.
This course includes the appreciation and analysis of theatrical literature, history, and production.

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