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Aiken Technical College
Aiken Technical College is a public, open-door, two-year, comprehensive institution of higher education established to provide citizens of greater Aiken County opportunities for educational and workforce development.
I Defy is redefining how the world thinks about technical education by celebrating the power of South Carolina technical colleges and spotlighting the spirit of students defying tradition, norms and expectation through a technical education.
Explore Our Mission“When I got in contact with professors at HGTC, I just knew it was where I belonged. It started me on the road for success.”
Robert Pierce
Horry-Georgetown Technical College
My name is Robert L. Pierce, and I’m a Peer Navigator in the Early Intervention Services at Little River Medical Center. I associate and engage with patients living with HIV, just to encourage them and let them know that we’ve been in the chair they’re sitting in. I live with HIV, and I was an addict for over 20 years. Going to Horry-Georgetown Technical College helped me understand where I belonged, and started me on the road for success.
“I’m showing my daughter there’s nothing stopping her from doing anything in this world.”
Yanika Gaymon
York Technical College
My name is Yanika Gaymon. I learned about the Reconnect with York Tech program during COVID. Basically, if you started a program at York Tech, they’ll give you 12 months to re-enroll and complete it, and they pretty much pay for everything: classes, books, all of it. I said, “Let me give this a shot.” It has been beyond awesome. With the financial costs of school covered, that’s one less thing I had to worry and stress about. The fact that they cared enough to create a program for people who started a program but had to stop because of life says a lot. I still tell people about York Tech and just how awesome they have been on this journey for me.
“Midlands Tech is where I found my home. People don’t realize how awesome this environment is and how well it prepares you to get a job in your field.”
Lasenta Lewis-Ellis
Midlands Technical College
My name is Lasenta Lewis-Ellis. I am the President/CEO of LLE Construction Group in Columbia, South Carolina.
My goal coming out of high school was to go to MIT and study engineering, but because of my family’s financial situation, that wasn’t possible. I started at Midlands Tech in the fall of 1991 in the architectural engineering technology program. Prior to coming to Midlands Tech, my mom had lost her house in a foreclosure. I was an engineering major at the time, and transferred to Midlands to learn how to design and build my momma a house. I soon discovered that I actually loved it. I thought I would ultimately go into industrial engineering, but it turned out I am a really good designer.
Midlands Tech is where I found my home. After having attended a technical college, I am an advocate for them. People don’t realize how awesome this environment is and how well it prepares you to get a job in your field.
“SCC is so diverse With all that life experience, you get a really well-rounded perspective on the world. That helps you recognize different opportunities and possibilities.”
Jay Cash
Spartanburg Community College
My name is Jay Cash. When I was in high school, I was very adamant about going to the University of Florida. I went to campus with a friend of mine and I stayed for about a week. There were so many people, huge classrooms — it felt very impersonal. Nobody knew you. I also did not have the funds to go, so I just stagnated. I was bored and I knew I could do more. I knew I could have a deeper influence on my community. I wanted to make an impact. When I went to SCC, it was like high school for adults. I had evening classes, but they knew me by name and they could help me with anything. Today, I have teachers who support me in my endeavors and are there for me every step of the way, and I have mentors who reinforce that drive. Today, I wake up looking forward to the possibilities.
Technical education is powerful.
There are a lot of misperceptions about technical education, so allow us to fill you in. (Spoiler alert: We’re a major player in education, and a driving force for local communities, employers and economies throughout South Carolina.)
160k
South Carolina’s Largest Higher Education Sector
Each year the System educates and trains over 160,000 South Carolinians through our credit programs (103,281) and continuing education programs (57,786).
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Geographicallly accessible across the state
Our colleges are strategically located across the state with nearly every South Carolinian within a 30-minute drive of one of our 16 main campuses or 64 satellite campuses.
1,100+
FLEXIBILITY THROUGH BREADTH & DEPTH OF PROGRAM
Our colleges offer a variety of programs in South Carolina’s high-demand, high-paying fields, including 78 degrees, 28 diplomas and nearly 1,000 certificate programs.
Top 10 Programs
1. Nursing
Median Salary: $63,897
Projected 10-Year Job Growth: 19%
Projected Annual Job Openings: 3,130
2. Data Processing
Median Salary: $78,270
Projected 10-Year Job Growth: 14%
Projected Annual Job Openings: 90
3. Business Administration
Median Salary: $89,280
Projected 10-Year Job Growth: 13%
Projected Annual Job Openings: 320
4. Criminal Justice
Median Salary: $40,770
Projected 10-Year Job Growth: 7%
Projected Annual Job Openings: 880
5. Culinary Arts
Median Salary: $38,460
Projected 10-Year Job Growth: 21%
Projected Annual Job Openings: 600
6. Accounting
Median Salary: $58,640
Projected 10-Year Job Growth: 13%
Projected Annual Job Openings: 1,780
7. Public Administration / Social Services
Median Salary: $58,800
Projected 10-Year Job Growth: 18%
Projected Annual Job Openings: 130
8. Mechatronics
Average Salary: $68,140
Projected 10-Year Job Growth: 12%
Projected Annual Job Openings: 60
9. Information Technology
Median Salary: $76,370
Projected 10-Year Job Growth: 14%
Projected Annual Job Openings: 500
10. Transfer Programs
Our colleges offer students many paths for transfer through individual agreements with partnering institutions.
Learn More
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Central Carolina Technical College
CCTC prepares students to enter the job market, to transfer to senior colleges and universities, and to achieve their professional and personal goals.
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Denmark Technical College
Known for our small class sizes, affordable tuition, on-campus housing, sports programs and a broad range of academic and “work ready” programs and services, the College fully embraces its mission to serve as an economic, cultural, and civic leader in advancing our communities.
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Florence-Darlington Technical College
Florence-Darlington Technical College provides a regional student-centered experience through technical education, workforce development training, and economic development activities.
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Greenville Technical College
When it comes to the education and training you need to succeed, Greenville Technical College delivers. Choose from skill-specific certificates, focused diplomas, and associate degrees along with plenty of short-term continuing education options.
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Horry-Georgetown Technical College
HGTC offers more than 65 associate degrees, diploma, and certificate programs for students who are either seeking quick entry into the workforce or desiring to transfer to a senior institution to pursue a bachelors degree.
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Midlands Technical College
Midlands Technical College provides higher education opportunities that stimulate the local economy by generating a world-class workforce and enhancing the social vitality of the community.
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Northeastern Technical College
At Northeastern Technical College we are committed to the success of our students, and passionately believe that our college is an option for everyone. If you have a desire to achieve more in your life, we’ll provide you with the resources to help you reach your goal.
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Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College
Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College provides relevant training and education to students while fostering economic development in the region. OCtech offers more than 80 programs of study, as well as transfer opportunities to many four-year colleges and universities in South Carolina.
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Piedmont Technical College
With locations in Abbeville, Edgefield, Greenwood, Laurens, McCormick, Newberry and Saluda counties, as well as an online campus accessible anywhere there’s an internet connection, we work to make the advantages of higher education available to everyone.
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Spartanburg Community College
Whether your goal is education leading to a high-growth, high-demand career or transferring to a university, SCC offers access to over 70 programs that meet your needs. With flexible class formats, SCC is convenient for recent high school graduates and busy adults who want to begin or advance their careers.
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Technical College of the Lowcountry
Our vision is to elevate each student and every community we serve through transformative technology and exceptional teaching. The college offers university transfer options, career and continuing education, online learning, and dual enrollment for area high school students.
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Tri-County Technical College
Tri-County Technical College boasts the highest student success, transfer, and graduation rates among two-year colleges in the State and ranks in the top one percent nationally for successful student transfers to four-year colleges and universities.
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Trident Technical College
TTC offers more than 150 programs of study that can be completed in two years or less, including affordable university transfer options that provide the first two years of a four-year degree program.
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Williamsburg Technical College
Williamsburg Technical College is committed to helping students discover their abilities and interests while developing them to the fullest extent, consistent with their own goals and capabilities and the needs of society.
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York Technical College
Through excellence in teaching and learning, the College provides program offerings, in a variety of delivery methods, in the areas of engineering technology, industrial technology, information technology, business, health sciences, public service, and transfer to senior colleges and universities.
What Will You Defy?
Join the 160,000 people each year who defy norms, traditions, and expectations through a South Carolina technical education.
Learn how we can help make your dreams a reality.