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2024 Best Associate Degree Schools in South Carolina

20 Colleges
$33,384 Avg Salary
$21,243 Avg Student Debt

With all of the options you have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take when you want to pursue a college degree. At College Factual, we're committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our Best Associate Degree Colleges in South Carolina ranking.

Jump to Any of the Following Sections: * Our Methodology

Finding Your Best School Match

Our analysis looked at 20 schools in South Carolina to determine which ones have the best associate degree programs. Instead of depending on subjective information to rank the best schools, we focus on objective factors in our analysis. More specifically, the following explains what we consider and why.

Average Earnings

One measure we use to determine the quality of a school is to look at the average salary of associate graduates during the early years of their career. After all, your degree won't mean much if it doesn't help you find a job that will help you earn a living.

Taking Out Student Loans

Another factor that we look at to determine a school's ranking is the average debt load that students take on while they are working on their associate degree. During their time at college, associate degree seekers from schools in South Carolina take out an average of $21,243. The average debt load at a particular school may not be bad, but it's an important thing to consider in conjunction with post-graduation earnings.

More Ranking Factors That Are Important

Our Best Associate Degree Schools considers other factors in addition to average post-graduation earnings and average student debt. On a broad level, other factors that go into our rankings include such things as the demand of the school, the student body caliber, if the school has online options, and the educational resources provided by the school.

To learn more, visit our best colleges ranking methodology page.

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You may also want to narrow this list by location to find the best associate degree schools nearest you. In addition, we've put together a number of other college rankings that may help you in your search.

Top Associate Degree Schools in South Carolina

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

1
Trident Technical College crest
Trident Technical College
Charleston, South Carolina
1,346 Associate Degrees Awarded
$20,045 Average Student Debt

Our 2024 rankings named Trident Technical College the best school in South Carolina in terms of overall quality for students working on their associate degree. Trident Technical College is located in Charleston, South Carolina and has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,346 associate degrees to qualified graduate students.

The average amount of student debt accumulated by associate students is $20,045.

Read full report on Trident Technical College

2
Bob Jones University crest
Bob Jones University
Greenville, South Carolina
32 Associate Degrees Awarded
$25,277 Average Early-Career Earnings

Out of the 20 associate degree schools in South Carolina that were part of this year’s ranking, Bob Jones University landed the #2 spot on the list. This small private not-for-profit school is located in Greenville, South Carolina, and it awarded 32 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

During the early years of their career, associate degree graduates from Bob Jones University make an average of $25,277 a year.

Read full report on Bob Jones University

3
South University, Columbia crest
South University, Columbia
Columbia, South Carolina
39 Associate Degrees Awarded
$31,040 Average Early-Career Earnings
$31,000 Average Student Debt

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend South University, Columbia. It ranked #3 on our 2024 Best Associate Degree Schools in South Carolina list. Located in Columbia, South Carolina, the small private for-profit school handed out 39 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

Those who receive a associate degree from South University, Columbia go into careers with an average salary of $31,040 during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by associate students is $31,000. This translates to an average monthly payment of $165 if the graduate is repaying the loan over a 10-year period.

Read full report on South University, Columbia

4
GTC crest
Greenville Technical College
Greenville, South Carolina
1,277 Associate Degrees Awarded
$36,566 Average Early-Career Earnings
$21,070 Average Student Debt

A rank of #4 on our Best Associate Degree in South Carolina list means Greenville Technical College is a great place for students working on their degree. GTC is located in Greenville, South Carolina and has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,277 associate degrees to qualified graduate students.

The average salary of a graduate with a associate degree from GTC is $36,566 during the early years of their career. Associate students leave the school with an average of $21,070 in student loans.

Learn More About Greenville Technical College

5
MTC crest
Midlands Technical College
West Columbia, South Carolina
1,015 Associate Degrees Awarded
$35,032 Average Early-Career Earnings
$17,768 Average Student Debt

The excellent associate degree programs at Midlands Technical College helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the best schools in South Carolina. MTC is a public institution located in West Columbia, South Carolina. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 1,015 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

Those who receive a associate degree from MTC go into careers with an average salary of $35,032 during the early years of their career. Associate students leave the school with an average of $17,768 in student loans. Average monthly loan payments are around $103 for a 10-year repayment plan.

Learn More About Midlands Technical College

6
OCtech crest
Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College
Orangeburg, South Carolina
249 Associate Degrees Awarded
$45,521 Average Early-Career Earnings
$15,379 Average Student Debt

Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College did quite well in the 2024 Best Associate Degree Schools in South Carolina ranking, coming in at #6. This small public school is located in Orangeburg, South Carolina, and it awarded 249 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

Those who receive a associate degree from OCtech go into careers with an average salary of $45,521 during the early years of their career. Associate students carry an average student debt load of about $15,379 after getting their degree.

Full Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College Report

7
SMC crest
Spartanburg Methodist College
Spartanburg, South Carolina
239 Associate Degrees Awarded
$15,711 Average Early-Career Earnings
$12,000 Average Student Debt

Spartanburg Methodist College landed the #7 spot on the 2024 Best Associate Degree Schools in South Carolina ranking. SMC is a private not-for-profit institution located in Spartanburg, South Carolina. The school has a small population, and it awarded 239 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

During the early years of their career, associate degree graduates from SMC make an average of $15,711 a year. Associate students leave the school with an average of $12,000 in student loans. Average monthly loan payments are around $84 for a 10-year repayment plan.

Learn More About Spartanburg Methodist College

8
383 Associate Degrees Awarded

With a ranking of #8, Florence-Darlington Technical College did quite well on the 2024 Best Associate Degree Schools in South Carolina list. This small public school is located in Florence, South Carolina, and it awarded 383 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

Full Florence-Darlington Technical College Report

9
York Technical College crest
York Technical College
Rock Hill, South Carolina
666 Associate Degrees Awarded
$36,330 Average Early-Career Earnings
$10,676 Average Student Debt

York Technical College came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Schools in South Carolina ranking. Located in Rock Hill, South Carolina, the small public school awarded 666 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.

During the early years of their career, associate degree graduates from York Technical College make an average of $36,330 a year. Associate students carry an average student debt load of about $10,676 after getting their degree.

Full York Technical College Report

10
Aiken Technical College crest
Aiken Technical College
Graniteville, South Carolina
245 Associate Degrees Awarded
$41,931 Average Early-Career Earnings
$19,847 Average Student Debt

With a ranking of #10, Aiken Technical College did quite well on the 2024 Best Associate Degree Schools in South Carolina list. Graniteville, South Carolina is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 245 students in 2020-2021.

During the early years of their career, associate degree graduates from Aiken Technical College make an average of $41,931 a year. Associate students leave the school with an average of $19,847 in student loans.

Read full report on Aiken Technical College

11
TCTC crest
Tri-County Technical College
Pendleton, South Carolina
883 Associate Degrees Awarded
$35,954 Average Early-Career Earnings
$13,143 Average Student Debt

Tri-County Technical College came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Schools in South Carolina ranking. This medium-sized public school is located in Pendleton, South Carolina, and it awarded 883 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

During the early years of their career, associate degree graduates from TCTC make an average of $35,954 a year. Associate students leave the school with an average of $13,143 in student loans.

Read full report on Tri-County Technical College

12
Piedmont Technical College crest
Piedmont Technical College
Greenwood, South Carolina
629 Associate Degrees Awarded
$34,165 Average Early-Career Earnings
$19,022 Average Student Debt

Piedmont Technical College came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Schools in South Carolina ranking. Located in Greenwood, South Carolina, the medium-sized public school awarded 629 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.

The average salary of a graduate with a associate degree from Piedmont Technical College is $34,165 during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by associate students is $19,022.

Full Piedmont Technical College Report

13
Spartanburg Community College crest
Spartanburg Community College
Spartanburg, South Carolina
595 Associate Degrees Awarded
$37,652 Average Early-Career Earnings
$8,301 Average Student Debt

Spartanburg Community College ranked #13 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Schools in South Carolina list. Located in Spartanburg, South Carolina, the medium-sized public school handed out 595 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

During the early years of their career, associate degree graduates from Spartanburg Community College make an average of $37,652 a year. Associate students leave the school with an average of $8,301 in student loans.

Learn More About Spartanburg Community College

14
335 Associate Degrees Awarded
$35,090 Average Early-Career Earnings
$16,663 Average Student Debt

Central Carolina Technical College landed the #14 spot on the 2024 Best Associate Degree Schools in South Carolina ranking. Central Carolina is a small public school situated in Sumter, South Carolina. It awarded 335 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

Graduates with a associate degree from Central Carolina make an average of $35,090 per year during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by associate students is $16,663.

Read full report on Central Carolina Technical College

15
1,008 Associate Degrees Awarded
$30,885 Average Early-Career Earnings
$20,781 Average Student Debt

Horry-Georgetown Technical College did quite well in the 2024 Best Associate Degree Schools in South Carolina ranking, coming in at #15. Located in Conway, South Carolina, the medium-sized public school awarded 1,008 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.

Those who receive a associate degree from Horry-Georgetown Technical College go into careers with an average salary of $30,885 during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by associate students is $20,781.

Full Horry-Georgetown Technical College Report

16
TCL crest
Technical College of the Lowcountry
Beaufort, South Carolina
190 Associate Degrees Awarded
$40,361 Average Early-Career Earnings
$14,975 Average Student Debt

With a ranking of #16, Technical College of the Lowcountry did quite well on the 2024 Best Associate Degree Schools in South Carolina list. This small public school is located in Beaufort, South Carolina, and it awarded 190 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

Graduates with a associate degree from TCL make an average of $40,361 per year during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by associate students is $14,975.

Learn More About Technical College of the Lowcountry

17
Limestone College crest
Limestone College
Gaffney, South Carolina
33 Associate Degrees Awarded
$32,250 Average Student Debt

With a ranking of #17, Limestone College did quite well on the 2024 Best Associate Degree Schools in South Carolina list. Located in Gaffney, South Carolina, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 33 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

The average amount of student debt accumulated by associate students is $32,250.

Full Limestone College Report

18
159 Associate Degrees Awarded
$12,059 Average Early-Career Earnings
$9,000 Average Student Debt

University of South Carolina - Sumter came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Schools in South Carolina ranking. This small public school is located in Sumter, South Carolina, and it awarded 159 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

Those who receive a associate degree from USC Sumter go into careers with an average salary of $12,059 during the early years of their career. Associate students carry an average student debt load of about $9,000 after getting their degree.

Learn More About University of South Carolina - Sumter

19
117 Associate Degrees Awarded
$17,434 Average Early-Career Earnings
$7,925 Average Student Debt

University of South Carolina - Union came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Schools in South Carolina ranking. Located in Union, South Carolina, the small public school handed out 117 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

Upon graduation, associate degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $17,434 during the early years of their career. Associate students leave the school with an average of $7,925 in student loans.

Learn More About University of South Carolina - Union

20
135 Associate Degrees Awarded
$20,996 Average Early-Career Earnings
$11,455 Average Student Debt

University of South Carolina - Lancaster came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Schools in South Carolina ranking. This small public school is located in Lancaster, South Carolina, and it awarded 135 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

Graduates with a associate degree from USC Lancaster make an average of $20,996 per year during the early years of their career. Associate students leave the school with an average of $11,455 in student loans.

Full University of South Carolina - Lancaster Report

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