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Best Associate Degree Schools in South Carolina

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2023 Best Associate Degree Schools in South Carolina

17 Schools Ranked
$8,611 Avg Tuition & Fees*
$22,375 Avg Student Debt

There are lots of options to pick from today when trying to decide which program is right for you. You're no longer limited to schools in your local area, either, since online programs are becoming more prevalent. Also there are many trade schools and bpptcamp that offer short-term programs that open up more career options.

The Best Associate Degree Schools in South Carolina ranking is one of many tools that Course Advisor has developed to help you make your educational decision. This report analyzed 17 schools in South Carolina to see which ones offered the best associate degree programs for students. Factors related to overall quality of the school, post-graduation earnings, average student debt, and more accumulated were considered when coming up with this list.

View our full ranking methodology.

Top Associate Degree Schools in South Carolina

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

#1

Trident Technical College

Charleston, South Carolina
$5,143 Average Tuition & Fees
$26,670 Avg Student Debt

Our 2023 rankings named Trident Technical College the best school in South Carolina for students working on their associate degree.

Full-time students from South Carolina pay an average of $5,143 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Trident Technical College. Out-of-state students pay an average of $8,690. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $26,670 in student loans.

Online courses are available at Trident 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 89% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read More…

#2

South University, Columbia

Columbia, South Carolina
$18,000 Average Tuition & Fees
$31,872 Avg Student Debt

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend South University, Columbia. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Schools in South Carolina list.

The average tuition and fees at South University, Columbia is $18,000. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $31,872 in student loans.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at South University, Columbia. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 51% took at least some of their classes online.

Read full report on South University, Columbia

#3

Greenville Technical College

Greenville, South Carolina
$5,186 Average Tuition & Fees
$23,618 Avg Student Debt

The excellent associate degree programs at Greenville Technical College helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best schools in South Carolina.

In-state students pay an average of $5,186 in tuition and fees if they attend GTC full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $9,410. On average, associate degree students take out $23,618 in loans while pursuing their degree.

GTC 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. During the 2019-2020 year, about 93% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Full Greenville Technical College Report

#4

Limestone College

Gaffney, South Carolina
$26,300 Average Tuition & Fees
$30,279 Avg Student Debt

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Limestone College. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Schools in South Carolina list.

If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $26,300 to cover tuition and fees at Limestone College. The school does not offer an in-state discount. Associate Degree recipients from Limestone College accumulate an average of $30,279 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

Some students may be able to take online classes at Limestone College. During the 2019-2020 year, about 75% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Full Limestone College Report

#5

Bob Jones University

Greenville, South Carolina
$21,062 Average Tuition & Fees

Out of the 17 schools in South Carolina that were part of this year’s ranking, Bob Jones University landed the # 5 spot on the list.

If you want to attend Bob Jones University, expect to pay an average of $21,062 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Bob Jones University does offer online classes for certain majors. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 18% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

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#6

Spartanburg Community College

Spartanburg, South Carolina
$6,030 Average Tuition & Fees
$12,880 Avg Student Debt

Spartanburg Community College ranked #6 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Schools in South Carolina list.

Full-time students from South Carolina pay an average of $6,030 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Spartanburg Community College. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $9,822. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,880 in student loans.

One thing to take note of is that Spartanburg Community College does offer online classes in some areas. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 52% took at least some of their classes online.

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#7

Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College

Orangeburg, South Carolina
$5,714 Average Tuition & Fees
$17,364 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #7, Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working on their associate degree.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at OCtech is $5,714. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $7,490. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,364 in student loans.

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. During the 2019-2020 year, about 84% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read More…

#8

Midlands Technical College

West Columbia, South Carolina
$5,916 Average Tuition & Fees
$19,503 Avg Student Debt

Midlands Technical College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students to get an associate degree. It came in at #8 on the list.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at MTC is $5,916. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $13,812. Associate Degree recipients from MTC accumulate an average of $19,503 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at MTC. In 2019-2020 about 88% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Full Midlands Technical College Report

#9

Florence-Darlington Technical College

Florence, South Carolina
$4,870 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #9, Florence-Darlington Technical College did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working on their associate degree.

Students from South Carolina who attend Florence-Darlington Technical College full time pay an average of $4,870 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $6,742.

Some students may be able to take online classes at Florence-Darlington Technical College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 79% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Read full report on Florence-Darlington Technical College

#10

Horry-Georgetown Technical College

Conway, South Carolina
$5,356 Average Tuition & Fees
$22,793 Avg Student Debt

Horry-Georgetown Technical College landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree programs.

In-state students pay an average of $5,356 in tuition and fees if they attend Horry-Georgetown Technical College full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $8,593. Associate Degree recipients from Horry-Georgetown Technical College accumulate an average of $22,793 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Horry-Georgetown Technical College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 63% took at least some of their classes online.

Full Horry-Georgetown Technical College Report

#11

Tri-County Technical College

Pendleton, South Carolina
$5,840 Average Tuition & Fees
$14,135 Avg Student Debt

Tri-County Technical College landed the #11 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree programs.

In-state students pay an average of $5,840 in tuition and fees if they attend TCTC full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $10,304. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,135 in student loans.

Some students may be able to take online classes at TCTC. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 64% took at least some of their classes online.

Full Tri-County Technical College Report

#12

York Technical College

Rock Hill, South Carolina
$5,410 Average Tuition & Fees
$14,975 Avg Student Debt

York Technical College ranked #12 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Schools in South Carolina list.

Full-time students from South Carolina pay an average of $5,410 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 $10,354. On average, associate degree students take out $14,975 in loans while pursuing their degree.

York Technical College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 94% took at least some of their classes online.

Read More…

#13

Central Carolina Technical College

Sumter, South Carolina
$6,594 Average Tuition & Fees
$19,704 Avg Student Debt

Central Carolina Technical College ranked #13 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Schools in South Carolina list.

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. Associate Degree recipients from Central Carolina accumulate an average of $19,704 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

Central Carolina does offer online classes for certain degree levels. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 60% took at least some of their classes online.

Full Central Carolina Technical College Report

#14

Aiken Technical College

Graniteville, South Carolina
$5,306 Average Tuition & Fees
$19,031 Avg Student Debt

Aiken Technical College landed the #14 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree programs.

In-state students pay an average of $5,306 in tuition and fees if they attend Aiken Technical College full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $6,880. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $19,031 in student loans.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Aiken Technical College does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 89% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read full report on Aiken Technical College

#15

Piedmont Technical College

Greenwood, South Carolina
$5,315 Average Tuition & Fees
$22,261 Avg Student Debt

Piedmont Technical College landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree programs.

In-state students pay an average of $5,315 in tuition and fees if they attend Piedmont Technical College full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $6,593. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $22,261 in student loans.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Piedmont Technical College does offer online classes for certain majors. In 2019-2020 about 88% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read More…

#16

Technical College of the Lowcountry

Beaufort, South Carolina
$5,740 Average Tuition & Fees
$16,491 Avg Student Debt

Technical College of the Lowcountry came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Schools in South Carolina ranking.

In-state students pay an average of $5,740 in tuition and fees if they attend TCL full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $11,020. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,491 in student loans.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at TCL. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 94% took at least some of their classes online.

Read full report on Technical College of the Lowcountry

#17

Miller-Motte College Charleston

Charleston, South Carolina
$33,291 Avg Student Debt

Miller-Motte College Charleston landed the #17 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree programs.

Associate Degree recipients from MMC Charleston accumulate an average of $33,291 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at MMC Charleston. During the 2019-2020 year, about 23% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read More…

View Best Associate Degree Schools Nationwide >

Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 17 schools only.

References

  • Read more about our ranking methodology.
  • 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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