Best Trade Schools in South Carolina for 2025
Trades are an excellent option for students who want a steady career without years of school. Check out the best trade schools in South Carolina for 2024.
Many trade occupations thrive in South Carolina. In addition to trade schools for automotive, construction, and manufacturing trades, there are also trades in nuclear energy and forestry.
Keep reading to learn about the 10 best trade schools in South Carolina for 2024 and the opportunities they offer to trade students.
Featured Trade Schools in South Carolina
South Carolina is home to more than a dozen colleges offering trade programs. We've listed ten of the best trade schools in South Carolina below in alphabetical order.
All colleges listed are part of the South Carolina Technical College System and are regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
1. Aiken Technical College
Aiken Technical College is a community college in Graniteville, South Carolina. It offers associate degrees, certificates, diplomas, and continuing education programs.
Trade programs are available in areas like:
- electronic technology
- HVAC
- health sciences and nursing
- maintenance technology
- nuclear technology
- production operations
- welding
The college also offers workforce opportunities in the nuclear industry in partnership with Savannah River Nuclear Solutions.
2. Central Carolina Technical College
Central Carolina Technical College is a top community college in South Carolina. It offers associate degrees, diplomas, and certificates as well as career training and continuing education programs.
Students can study trades such as:
- air conditioning and heating
- automotive technology
- environmental, health, and safety
- mechatronics
- wastewater operations
- welding
Additionally, CC Tech offers early childhood education programs as well as healthcare programs in fields like massage therapy, medical assisting, medical coding, nursing, and surgical technology.
3. Florence-Darlington Technical College
Florence-Darlington Technical College is a public college in Florence, South Carolina. It offers associate degrees, certificates, diplomas, and continuing education programs.
Trade programs are available in areas like:
- automotive technology
- civil engineering technology
- diesel and heavy equipment
- electronics
- HVAC
- machine tools technology
- welding
The college also offers programs in cosmetology, early childhood education, and health sciences, including dental hygiene, medical coding and billing, medical lab technology, and nursing.
4. Horry-Georgetown Technical College
Horry-Georgetown Technical College is a public technical college in Conway, South Carolina. It offers associate degrees, certificates, diplomas, and workforce development programs.
Students can study trades such as:
- automotive technology
- boat building
- commercial refrigeration and air conditioning
- electrical technology
- HVAC
- machine tool technology
- mechatronics technology
- outboard marine technology
Additionally, students can study programs that include culinary arts, cosmetology, massage therapy, early childhood education, and medical science like EMT/paramedic training, imaging sciences, and nursing.
5. Midlands Technical College
Midlands Technical College is a public technical college based in Columbia, South Carolina. It offers associate degrees and certificate programs.
Trade programs are available in areas like:
- automotive technology
- construction
- electrical and electronics
- forklift operations
- heavy equipment operations
- HVAC/R
- mechanical maintenance
- mechatronics
- plumbing
- welding
The college also offers early childhood education programs as well as health care programs such as dental hygiene, massage therapy, EMT training, imaging programs, and nursing and other direct care programs.
6. Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College
Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College is a public community college in Orangeburg, South Carolina.
Students can study trades such as:
- advanced manufacturing
- automotive technology
- electronics engineering technology
- engineering design technology
- professional truck driving
In addition, students can study early childhood education and health sciences programs like EMT training, diagnostic imaging, medical assisting, patient care technology, and nursing.
7. Piedmont Technical College
Piedmont Technical College is a public community college based in Greenwood, South Carolina. It offers associate degrees, certificates, and continuing education courses.
Trade programs are available in areas like:
- automotive technology
- building construction
- gunsmithing
- HVAC
- horticulture technology
- machine tool technology
- mechatronics technology
- welding
Students can also study fields such as early care and education, funeral service, and healthcare, including cardiovascular technology, emergency services, nursing, surgical technology, and veterinary technology.
8. Technical College of the Lowcountry
The Technical College of the Lowcountry is a public community college in Beaufort, South Carolina. It offers associate degrees and certificates as well as continuing education and workforce development programs.
Students can study trades such as:
- aviation electronics technology
- construction
- plumbing
- residential electric
- solar photovoltaic technology
- welding
Additionally, students can pursue programs in cosmetology, culinary arts, early childhood development, massage therapy, physical therapy, nursing, radiologic technology, and surgical technology.
9. Trident Technical College
Trident Technical College is a public community college based in Charleston, South Carolina. It offers associate degrees, certificates, and workforce training programs.
Trade programs are available in areas like:
- aeronautical technology
- air conditioning and refrigeration
- automotive technology
- commercial truck driving
- electrical construction
- electrical line work
- electronics engineering technology
- industrial maintenance
- machine tool technology
- mechatronics
- mechanical engineering technology
- welding
The college also offers programs in culinary arts and health sciences, including programs in dental hygiene, EMT/paramedic training, nursing, respiratory care, surgical technology, and veterinary technology.
10. York Technical College
York Technical College is a public community college in Rock Hill, South Carolina. It offers associate degrees, certificates, and workforce development programs.
Students can study trades such as:
- air conditioning/refrigeration
- automotive technology
- carpentry
- electricity and electronics
- healthcare and nursing
- industrial maintenance
- masonry
- mechatronics technology
- plumbing
Multiple apprenticeship opportunities are available, including apprenticeships in automotive technology, maintenance technician, industrial electrician, tool and die maker, nursing, and emergency medicine.
Common Trade Jobs in South Carolina
Multiple trades operate within South Carolina. Some of the most common trade fields in the state include:
- transportation and material moving
- production
- healthcare practitioners and techs
- installation, maintenance, and repair
- construction and extraction
- healthcare support
- assemblers and fabricators
How Much Does Trade School Cost in South Carolina?
Public two-year colleges, like those listed above, tend to be more expensive in South Carolina than average across the United States.
For South Carolina residents, a two-year college costs an average of $4,916 per year in tuition and fees, while out-of-state residents pay $10,206 per year in South Carolina.
Multiple scholarships and financial aid opportunities are available to trade students. Fill out your Free Application for Student Aid to find out what you qualify for.
Are There Online Trade Schools in South Carolina?
Several of the colleges listed above offer online trade school programs or online courses. However, most trade programs are not available 100% online as they require hands-on learning.
Even if your program isn't available online, you may be able to take some of your courses online. Check with your advisor or admissions counselor to see what's possible for your program.
Explore Trade Schools in South Carolina Today
South Carolina is home to several excellent colleges with trade programs. Check out the best trade schools in South Carolina listed above to find the perfect match for you today!