Trade Schools in South Carolina

With so many trade professions projected to experience an increase in demand and a jump in annual average salary, it is easy to understand why so many individuals in South Carolina are pursuing trade careers. If you happen to be an aspiring trade professional in the state, one of the first things you must do is consider attending a trade school.

Even though there are other avenues to starting a trade career, trade schools offer comprehensive training in both theoretical and practical aspects, leaving candidates well-prepared for their jobs.

Below, we discuss everything that individuals must know before enrolling in a trade school in South Carolina. These include the projected cost of completing a trade program in the state, the financial aid options available to trade school students, and the accreditation agencies to look out for.

We then round up with a comprehensive list of the most prominent trade schools in South Carolina.

Average Cost of Trade Schools in South Carolina

One of the most important factors in determining the cost of attending a trade school in South Carolina is the school’s profit orientation. Public and nonprofit private schools are usually less expensive than for-profit private schools.

According to data obtained by the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education, the National Center for Education Statistics, and a few trade schools in the state, we have estimated the cost of completing a trade group program in South Carolina to be as follows:

• Cost of completing a private trade school: $10,000 - $25,000;
• Cost of completing a public trade school: $5,000 - $10,000.

The breakdown includes:

• Tuition cost of completing a private trade school - $7,000 - $20,000;
• Tuition cost of completing a public trade school - $3,000 - $7,000.
• Cost of books and learning materials - $500 - $1,000;
• Cost of programs-specific equipment accommodation costs - $500 - $5,000.

As mentioned earlier and as seen from the above, the profit orientation of a school determines how much it’ll cost to complete a trade program. Other notable factors to consider include location, program duration, program complexity and specialization, and the school’s reputation.

Financial Aid for Trade Schools in South Carolina

To help make their financial commitments easier to bear, several programs and initiatives have been organized to provide financial aid to trade school students in South Carolina. We examine some of the most prominent options in this regard below.

• South Carolina Higher Education Tuition Grants - is organized by the state government and offers financial assistance for students attending an accredited college, including trade schools. The program offers up to $3,600.

• ANSWER Scholarship - This scholarship is available for mothers of children attending either a 2-year or 4-year program in South Carolina.

• Regions Riding Forward Scholarship Essay Contest - candidates attending trade schools in South Carolina may apply for this scholarship if they are African American and attending an approved College. The scholarship offers between $3,500 to $5,000.

• Lettie Pate Whitehead Foundation Scholarships - offers financial assistance to women who can demonstrate their financial need. Candidates must be enrolled in a nursing, medicine, or allied health program.

Licensing and Accreditation for Trade Schools in South Carolina

Several trade schools in South Carolina hold regional accreditation, which is awarded by the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education and the Accrediting Council for Continuing Education & Training. Some hold national accreditation from the Accrediting Commission of Careers Schools and Colleges.

The Department of Education chooses accrediting agencies, and the Distance Education Accrediting Commission is responsible for awarding accreditation status to online schools.

Attending an accredited school is extremely important, as it ensures that candidates are assured of receiving high-quality education. Additionally, accreditation is great for opening the door to qualify for federal financial aid programs.

Apart from being accredited by any of the agencies mentioned above, the state must also recognize post-secondary schools in South Carolina to operate legally.

Top Vocational Trade Schools in South Carolina

The following are some top-class trade schools in South Carolina that offer a large variety of programs that operate at a high educational standard.

Notable Mentions

Other notable mentions include

• Northeastern Technical College in Cheraw,
• Trident Technical College in Charleston,
• Greenville Technical College in Greenville,
• Midlands Technical College in West Columbia,
• Technical College of the Lowcountry in Beaufort,
• York Technical College in Rock Hill,
• Tri-County Technical College in Pendleton,
• Denmark Technical College in Denmark,
• Southeastern College in Charleston and Columbia, and
• Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics in Myrtle Beach.