Piedmont Technical College: $4,775 Tuition

$4,775Tuition

3,988Students

33%Grad Rate (6-yr)

$35,768Earnings

#17 in South CarolinaPublic2-yearData: 2023-24

About Piedmont Technical College

Piedmont Technical College prepares students for immediate entry into South Carolina's workforce through hands-on career programs. The college serves 3,988 students in Greenwood, a small town setting that keeps costs low while maintaining strong connections to regional employers. Healthcare, industrial technology, and business programs dominate the curriculum, with many graduates finding jobs at nearby medical facilities and manufacturing plants.

Students typically pay around $10,862 after financial aid, making this one of the more affordable paths to career training in the state. Nearly half of all students receive Pell Grants, reflecting the college's role serving working-class families. Graduates earn a median of $35,768 ten years after starting, with relatively manageable debt loads averaging $15,000. The 94.7% employment rate shows employers value the practical skills students develop here.

The student body is 68.86% women, largely reflecting the strong nursing and healthcare programs that anchor the college. About 98% of students come from in-state, creating a tight-knit community feel. The 33.30% six-year graduation rate reflects the reality that many students juggle work and family responsibilities while completing their programs. For students seeking direct career preparation without the expense of a four-year degree, Piedmont delivers solid job training with minimal debt.

Academics & Faculty

Piedmont Technical College specializes in career-focused programs that prepare students for immediate employment in healthcare, industrial technology, and business. The 18:1 student-faculty ratio provides solid access to instructors in hands-on technical fields. However, the 33% six-year graduation rate reflects the challenges many community college students face balancing work and family responsibilities. The school excels at workforce preparation, with a 94.7% employment rate among graduates. Students typically enter programs like nursing, welding, automotive technology, and computer information systems. Nearly 69% of students are women, largely driven by strong enrollment in healthcare programs. The technical focus means students gain practical skills directly applicable to regional job markets.

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

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 18:1
Full-Time Faculty: 41.8%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 33.3%
Median Earnings (10 years): $35,768

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
Program	Level	Median Earnings
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing.	Associate	$56,234
Electromechanical Instrumentation and Maintenance Technologies/Technicians.	Associate	$52,941
Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians.	Associate	$50,856
Precision Metal Working.	Associate	$46,087
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions.	Associate	$44,886
Precision Metal Working.	Certificate	$37,424
Funeral Service and Mortuary Science.	Associate	$36,848
Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR).	Associate	$33,281
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions.	Certificate	$32,391
Data Processing.	Associate	$29,685

View all 56 programs →

Campus Life

Piedmont Technical College serves nearly 4,000 students in the small city of Greenwood, about 75 miles from Columbia. Women make up 68.86% of the student body, reflecting the college's strong healthcare and business programs. The campus has no dormitories, so students commute from across the region. Nearly all students (98.40%) come from South Carolina.

The humid subtropical climate means hot summers where air conditioning is essential and mild winters requiring just a light jacket. Students typically work around class schedules since many are career-changers or working adults. The 18:1 student-faculty ratio creates smaller, hands-on learning environments in labs and clinical settings. With 94.7% of graduates finding employment, the focus stays intensely practical. Weekend life revolves around family and work commitments rather than traditional college activities. The campus culture emphasizes getting skills quickly and entering the workforce. Students often study together in the library or grab coffee between classes, but social life happens mostly off-campus in Greenwood's restaurants and community events.

Setting: Town-Distant
Calendar System: Semester

Campus Safety (2023)

1 total reported incident. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education

Campus safety incidents by location
Offense	On Campus	Residential	Noncampus	Public Property
Fondling	1	0	0	0

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 31°–53°F
July Avg: 70°–91°F
Annual Precipitation: 44.6"
Annual Snowfall: 1.1"

Student Demographics

Piedmont Technical College draws students from across South Carolina who want hands-on career training without leaving the state. Nearly all students come from within South Carolina, reflecting the college's strong ties to local employers and communities. The student body is almost 70% women, a direct result of popular programs in healthcare fields like nursing and medical assisting. About half of students receive Pell Grants, showing the college serves working-class families seeking affordable pathways to middle-class careers. The diverse mix of white and Black students mirrors the demographics of rural South Carolina.

Men: 31.1%
Women: 68.9%
White: 49.4%
Black: 37.9%
Hispanic: 7.7%
Asian: 0.5%
In-State Students: 98.4%
Pell Grant Recipients: 48.3%

Location

Greenwood sits in western South Carolina, about 75 miles southeast of Greenville and 50 miles west of Columbia. The area blends small-town charm with industrial heritage, anchored by manufacturing and healthcare employers. Nearly 99% of Piedmont Technical College's students come from in-state, reflecting its deep roots in the local community. The town of roughly 23,000 residents provides an affordable setting where students can focus on career training without big-city distractions. Greenwood's location along the I-26 corridor connects students to job markets in both the Upstate and Midlands regions. The college serves as a workforce development center for surrounding rural counties. Students considering colleges in South Carolina may also compare Piedmont Technical College with similar schools in the region.

Address: Greenwood, South Carolina 29646

After College

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

Median Earnings (10 years): $35,768
Median Earnings (5 years): $40,914
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry): $25,600
Loan Repayment Rate: 25.4%
Monthly Loan Payment: $159/mo
Median Debt at Graduation: $15,000

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the admission requirements at Piedmont Technical College?

Piedmont Technical College maintains an open enrollment policy typical of public technical colleges, allowing most students to begin their career training immediately. With 98.40% of students coming from South Carolina, the college primarily serves local residents seeking hands-on technical education. The focus is on placing students into workforce-ready programs rather than selective admissions.

How much does Piedmont Technical College cost after financial aid?

Students pay an average net price of $10,862 annually, with costs varying by family income from $10,509 for middle-income families to $14,497 for higher earners. Nearly half of students (48.32%) receive Pell Grants, reflecting the college's role serving working-class families. Graduates typically leave with just $15,000 in debt, manageable for technical careers.

What academic programs is Piedmont Technical College known for?

The college specializes in healthcare, industrial technology, and business training programs designed for immediate workforce entry. With an 18:1 student-faculty ratio, students get hands-on instruction in technical skills. The two-year format focuses on practical training rather than traditional academic coursework.

What are the job prospects for Piedmont Technical College graduates?

An impressive 94.7% of graduates find employment, demonstrating strong employer demand for the college's technical training. Median earnings reach $35,768 within ten years, solid for two-year technical degrees. The college's focus on in-demand trades and healthcare fields creates reliable career pathways.

Where is Piedmont Technical College located and what is campus life like?

The college sits in Greenwood, South Carolina, a small town setting that keeps costs low and distractions minimal. With 3,988 students and a commuter-focused environment, campus life centers around practical learning rather than traditional college activities. The student body is 68.86% female, reflecting strong enrollment in healthcare and business programs.

Does Piedmont Technical College have a good graduation rate?

The college posts a 33.30% six-year graduation rate, which reflects the challenges many technical college students face balancing work and family obligations. However, the 94.7% employment rate shows that many students successfully enter careers even without completing degrees. The college serves many non-traditional students who may take longer paths to completion.