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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“I’m a lot smarter than I thought I was. Now I can see myself pressing forward to do more than what I thought I could back in the day.”
Seth Davis
Northeastern Technical College
My name is Seth Davis. Straight out of high school I came to tech and I was like, “I’m going to see how I like it.” I started my CNA back in the day, but got a little bit stubborn. My step-dad, who works in the industrial field, said, “Hey I know you like to travel. I know a company who does traveling industrial work.” The next week, I went in for an interview and got the job as a manager trainee and they sent me to Tennessee for training. Thirty-four states later, I have over 500,000 travel miles under my belt.
A few years later, I was tired of spending 300 days on the road living in hotels and eating fast food. I decided to explore getting back into the nursing program at Tech — and here I am.
“The professors here are like family to me. They are always looking for ways to help you get it done.”
Kiana Davis
Central Carolina Technical College
My name is Kiana Davis. I am 39, and the mother of two beautiful kids ages 18 and 16. I put my education on hold to provide for my family when I first had kids. When things didn’t go as planned, I ended up getting divorced and decided I wanted to go back to school to be able to provide for myself and my kids. My biggest motivation is making sure that I’m able to take care of my kids without the extra income from my ex-husband. Education means everything to me. I am studying logistics and one class away from receiving my diploma.
“When I visited I felt so impressed with the technology at Horry-Georgetown Technical College, and everything was so accessible.”
Elmira Peterson
Horry-Georgetown Technical College
My name is Elmira Peterson. I’m originally from Albania, but have spent the past five years in the United States. I received my citizenship one year ago, and I’m so proud of it.
I grew up in a communist system in Albania. It is always our dream to study abroad. I was able to get my university degree in Albanian Languages and Literature, but I still dreamed of studying abroad. In Albania, I was a teacher for many, many years. When I came to the US and got married, I realized I needed to go back to college. I chose Horry-Georgetown Technical College because it offered me the opportunity to pursue a second lifelong career as a dental hygienist.
After that, I went to work as a temp. I did that for a year before deciding to go to Aiken Tech. I looked at a few programs to see what I would like and chose the industrial maintenance program. I’ve always liked to take things apart, learn how they work and fix them, so the program felt like a good match for me. My mom was the one who told me about the Technical Scholars Program, which I’m doing right now.
“There are a lot of high expectations set on young people around going to college. Do what is right for you.”
Sarah Hill
Florence-Darlington Technical College
My name is Sarah Hill. My major is human services and I graduate in May of next year. After I graduate, I’m going to the bridge program at Coker to get my Bachelor’s in psychology. I came to Tech as a dual-enrollment student in high school in 2017. After high school, I went to Francis Marion for a semester, but didn’t do well there. It was a hard transition from going to high school to college.
I decided that it was best for me to take a step back. Instead of taking a gap year, I enrolled at Tech to do a slower transition into college. I started in the nursing program in 2018. My mom is a nurse and went to Tech, as well as several other family members. I didn’t love the nursing program, so I ended up switching over to the human services program, which focuses on psychology and helping better serve the community.
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).
<30 mins
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.