Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College: $4,970 Tuition

$4,970Tuition

1,564Students

40%Grad Rate (6-yr)

$35,761Earnings

#12 in South CarolinaPublic2-yearData: 2023-24

About Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College

Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College trains students for South Carolina's growing technical workforce. The college serves 1,564 students in a small town setting, focusing on career-ready programs that connect directly to regional employers. Nearly all students come from South Carolina, with 97% being in-state residents who value the college's practical approach to education.

Students pay an average net price of $6,119 after financial aid, making this one of the more affordable paths to technical training. Graduates typically earn $35,761 ten years after starting, while carrying manageable debt loads of $10,562. The monthly loan payment of $112 reflects the college's commitment to keeping education costs reasonable. With an employment rate of 95.6%, graduates find work quickly in their chosen fields.

The student body is predominantly female, with women making up 73% of enrollment. Black students represent 59% of the campus, while white students account for 33%. The 16:1 student-faculty ratio ensures personalized attention in hands-on programs. While the 40% six-year graduation rate reflects the challenges many community college students face, those who complete their programs enter a job market eager for their technical skills.

Academics & Faculty

Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College focuses on career-ready programs that prepare students for immediate employment. The college serves a predominantly female student body, with women making up 73% of enrollment, reflecting strong participation in healthcare and technical fields. Students work closely with faculty through a 16:1 student-to-faculty ratio. The college's 40% six-year graduation rate reflects the challenges many working adults face completing their studies while balancing other responsibilities. OCTC is known for its nursing, automotive technology, and industrial maintenance programs. Graduates enter the workforce quickly, with a 96% employment rate demonstrating the practical value of the college's technical training approach.

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 16:1
Full-Time Faculty: 54.8%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 40.4%
Median Earnings (10 years): $35,761

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
Program	Level	Median Earnings
Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians.	Associate	$60,623
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing.	Associate	$58,943
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions.	Associate	$50,856
Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services.	Associate	$49,683
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions.	Certificate	$39,369
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other.	Associate	$37,748
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies.	Associate	$36,560
Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants.	Certificate	$35,594
Precision Metal Working.	Associate	$35,060
Criminal Justice and Corrections.	Associate	$28,598

View all 41 programs →

Campus Life

Orangeburg sits about an hour from Columbia, giving students small-town accessibility without complete isolation. Women make up 72.89% of the student body, creating a female-majority environment across campus. South Carolina's mild climate means you'll need light jackets for winter but should prepare for hot, humid summers that stretch well into fall.

Most of the 1,564 students commute from the surrounding area since 97.19% come from in-state. The technical focus means labs and workshops buzz with hands-on learning throughout the week. Weekends tend to be quieter as students often head home or work part-time jobs to supplement their education. The 16:1 student-faculty ratio creates smaller class sizes where instructors know your name and progress personally.

The campus culture revolves around practical skill-building rather than traditional college social events. Students bond over shared program experiences in nursing, automotive technology, and other career-focused tracks. With 95.6% employment rates after graduation, the atmosphere stays goal-oriented and professional rather than party-focused.

Setting: Town-Distant
Calendar System: Semester

Campus Safety (2023)

No reported Clery Act crimes in 2023.

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 36°–59°F
July Avg: 71°–92°F
Annual Precipitation: 50.5"
Annual Snowfall: 0.1"

Student Demographics

Students at this technical college come primarily from South Carolina communities, with 97% choosing to stay in-state for their education. The student body is predominantly women, making up nearly three-quarters of enrollment, reflecting the college's strong programs in healthcare, early childhood education, and business administration. About 43% of students receive Pell Grants, showing the college serves working families seeking affordable career training. The diverse student population includes a significant number of Black students at 59% and white students at 33%. Most students are older adults returning to education for career advancement or transition.

Men: 27.1%
Women: 72.9%
White: 33.2%
Black: 59.1%
Hispanic: 3.3%
Asian: 1.0%
In-State Students: 97.2%
Pell Grant Recipients: 43.4%

Location

Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College sits in Orangeburg, South Carolina, about 45 miles southeast of Columbia. The town of roughly 13,000 residents serves as the county seat in a largely rural region known for agriculture and manufacturing. Orangeburg hosts two other colleges, giving it a modest college town atmosphere despite its small size. The area lies in South Carolina's Midlands region, characterized by rolling hills and farmland between the coastal plain and the Appalachian foothills. With 97.19% of students coming from in-state, the college draws primarily from local and regional communities. Students considering colleges in South Carolina may also compare Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College with similar schools in the region.

Address: Orangeburg, South Carolina 29118-8299

After College

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Median Earnings (10 years): $35,761
Median Earnings (5 years): $53,255
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry): $25,900
Loan Repayment Rate: 29.3%
Monthly Loan Payment: $112/mo
Median Debt at Graduation: $10,562

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the admission requirements at Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College?

The college maintains an open admission policy typical of technical colleges in South Carolina. With 1,564 students enrolled, the school focuses on providing accessible career training rather than selective admissions. Most students are local residents, with 97.19% coming from in-state.

How much does Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College cost after financial aid?

Students pay an average net price of $6,119 annually, making it one of the more affordable options for technical education. In-state tuition runs $4,970 while out-of-state students pay $7,970. About 43.44% of students receive Pell Grants, helping keep costs manageable for working families.

What is the student-faculty ratio at Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College?

The college maintains a 16:1 student-faculty ratio, allowing for hands-on instruction crucial in technical programs. The school operates on a semester calendar system and emphasizes practical workforce training. Women make up 72.89% of the student body, reflecting strong enrollment in healthcare and service industry programs.

What are the job prospects for Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College graduates?

Graduates achieve a strong 95.6% employment rate, demonstrating the value of technical education in today's job market. The median earnings reach $35,761 ten years after graduation with relatively low debt of $10,562. Monthly loan payments average just $112, making the education investment manageable for most graduates.

Where is Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College located and what is campus life like?

The campus sits in Orangeburg, a town-distant setting that serves the rural communities of South Carolina. With 59.08% Black students and 33.18% White students, the college reflects the demographics of its service region. The Owls nickname represents the school's identity in this close-knit educational community.

Does Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College have a good graduation rate for a technical school?

The 40.40% six-year graduation rate reflects the challenges many technical college students face balancing work and education. However, the 29.27% loan repayment rate indicates some graduates struggle with debt management despite the relatively low borrowing amounts. The college serves many first-generation college students who often take longer to complete their programs while working.