Technical College of the Lowcountry: $5,500 Tuition

$5,500Tuition

1,697Students

12%Grad Rate (6-yr)

$35,090Earnings

Public2-yearData: 2023-24

About Technical College of the Lowcountry

This Beaufort-based institution serves as the Lowcountry's primary workforce development center. The college enrolls 1,697 students focused on career-ready programs that feed directly into the region's marine, healthcare, and manufacturing industries. Students here aren't chasing liberal arts dreams but building practical skills for immediate employment. The 12:1 student-faculty ratio ensures hands-on training in small classes where instructors often come straight from industry.

The financial picture tells a compelling story for working-class students. In-state students pay $5,500 in tuition, with the average net price hitting $5,903 after aid. Graduates earn a median of $35,090 ten years out, though debt loads stay manageable at just $10,000. Monthly loan payments average only $106, making this one of the more affordable pathways to middle-class earnings in South Carolina. The 93.8% employment rate shows employers value what students learn here.

Women dominate the student body at 70.77%, reflecting the college's strength in healthcare programs. The campus draws heavily from South Carolina, with 91.20% of students staying in-state for their education. While the 12.10% six-year graduation rate seems low, it reflects the reality of working students who often attend part-time while juggling jobs and family responsibilities.

Academics & Faculty

Technical College of the Lowcountry focuses on career-ready programs that prepare students for immediate employment in the Lowcountry region. The 12:1 student-faculty ratio provides personalized attention in hands-on training programs. However, the 12.10% six-year graduation rate reflects challenges many working students face completing their programs. The college serves a diverse population with 70.77% women and strong representation across racial groups. Students can pursue associate degrees and certificates in fields like health sciences, business technology, and industrial programs tailored to local employers. The 93.8% employment rate demonstrates the practical value of the training, even if traditional graduation metrics don't capture all student success stories.

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

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 12:1
Full-Time Faculty: 41.8%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 12.1%
Median Earnings (10 years): $35,090

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
Program	Level	Median Earnings
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing.	Associate	$52,822
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions.	Associate	$42,682
Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services.	Associate	$40,551
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions.	Certificate	$32,569
Business Operations Support and Assistant Services.	Associate	$28,960
Business/Commerce, General.	Associate	$28,236
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities.	Associate	$21,508
Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services.	Certificate	$21,508
Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services.	Certificate	$19,455

View all 41 programs →

Campus Life

Women make up 70.77% of the student body at this technical college, reflecting the strong healthcare and business programs that draw many female students. The small city of Beaufort sits along South Carolina's coast, about two hours from Charleston and Savannah. Students pack sunscreen rather than winter coats, as the Lowcountry climate stays mild year-round with humid summers perfect for the nearby beaches and marshlands.

With 1,697 students spread across a commuter-focused campus, most students drive to classes then head to work or internships. The 12:1 student-faculty ratio means professors know students by name in hands-on programs like nursing, automotive technology, and culinary arts. Since 91.20% of students come from in-state, many already have ties to the local shrimping, military, and tourism industries that define the region. Weekends often involve fishing, visiting historic downtown Beaufort, or traveling to nearby Hilton Head. The Pride athletic teams compete in intramural sports, though the real action happens in the well-equipped labs where students practice real-world skills.

Setting: City-Small
Calendar System: Semester

Campus Safety (2023)

No reported Clery Act crimes in 2023.

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 41°–60°F
July Avg: 74°–91°F
Annual Precipitation: 45.0"
Annual Snowfall: 0.0"

Student Demographics

Technical College of the Lowcountry draws overwhelmingly from South Carolina, with over 90% of students calling the state home. The school serves a diverse student body that's mostly women, reflecting its strong programs in healthcare, cosmetology, and early childhood education. About one-third of students receive Pell Grants, showing the college's role as an affordable pathway for working-class families in the Lowcountry region. The racial diversity mirrors the demographics of coastal South Carolina, with significant representation from Black and Hispanic communities alongside white students.

Men: 29.2%
Women: 70.8%
White: 43.8%
Black: 28.6%
Hispanic: 20.9%
Asian: 0.9%
In-State Students: 91.2%
Pell Grant Recipients: 33.7%

Location

Technical College of the Lowcountry sits in Beaufort, South Carolina, a historic coastal city about 70 miles south of Charleston. The 1,697 students study in the heart of the Lowcountry, known for its Spanish moss-draped oak trees, antebellum architecture, and salt marshes. Beaufort serves as a gateway to nearby sea islands and beaches along the Atlantic coast. The area attracts military families due to the Marine Corps Air Station and Parris Island. Over 91% of students come from in-state, reflecting the college's strong ties to the local community. The small city setting provides a tight-knit atmosphere where the 12:1 student-faculty ratio allows for personalized attention. Students considering colleges in South Carolina may also compare Technical College of the Lowcountry with similar schools in the region.

Address: Beaufort, South Carolina 29901-1288

After College

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

Median Earnings (10 years): $35,090
Median Earnings (5 years): $45,868
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry): $24,900
Loan Repayment Rate: 38.1%
Monthly Loan Payment: $106/mo
Median Debt at Graduation: $10,000

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate at Technical College of the Lowcountry?

As a public technical college focused on workforce development, Technical College of the Lowcountry maintains an open admissions policy for most programs. The college serves 1,697 students with a primary mission of training skilled workers for the Lowcountry region's maritime, manufacturing, and healthcare industries.

How much does Technical College of the Lowcountry cost after financial aid?

Students pay an average net price of $5,903 per year, making it an affordable option for technical training. In-state tuition runs $5,500 while out-of-state students pay $11,044, though 91.20% of students are South Carolina residents.

What academics does Technical College of the Lowcountry offer?

The college operates on a semester system with a 12:1 student-faculty ratio, allowing for hands-on instruction in technical fields. Students can pursue associate degrees and certificates in programs designed to meet local industry needs in coastal South Carolina.

What are the job outcomes at Technical College of the Lowcountry?

Graduates achieve a 93.8% employment rate, reflecting strong demand for skilled technical workers in the region. The median earnings reach $35,090 ten years after enrollment, with graduates typically carrying manageable debt of $10,000.

Where is Technical College of the Lowcountry's campus located?

The main campus sits in Beaufort, a historic coastal city known for its antebellum architecture and military presence. Women comprise 70.77% of the student body, which reflects the college's strong nursing and healthcare programs.

Does Technical College of the Lowcountry have good graduation rates?

The six-year graduation rate stands at 12.10%, which is typical for community colleges where many students attend part-time or transfer before completing degrees. The college's teams compete as the Pride, emphasizing student achievement both in academics and athletics.