2025 Best Associate Degree Schools in South Carolina
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.
When attending a school in South Carolina, associate degree students accumulate an average of $9,314 in student debt before graduation.
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.
More Rankings to View
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:
29
Associate Degrees Awarded
$39,357
Average Early-Career Earnings
$15,790
Average Student Debt
Our analysis found South University, Columbia to be the best school for associate degrees in South Carolina in this year’s ranking. This small private for-profit school is located in Columbia, South Carolina, and it awarded 29 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
During the early years of their career, associate degree graduates from South University, Columbia make an average of $39,357 a year. The average amount of student debt accumulated by associate students is $15,790.
Full South University, Columbia Report
54
Associate Degrees Awarded
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Bob Jones University. It ranked #2 on our 2025 Best Associate Degree Schools in South Carolina list. Bob Jones University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Greenville, South Carolina. It awarded 54 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Learn More About Bob Jones University
1,217
Associate Degrees Awarded
$41,805
Average Early-Career Earnings
$8,450
Average Student Debt
The excellent associate degree programs at Greenville Technical College helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best schools in South Carolina. Located in Greenville, South Carolina, the fairly large public school handed out 1,217 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Graduates with a associate degree from GTC make an average of $41,805 per year during the early years of their career. Associate students leave the school with an average of $8,450 in student loans.
Learn More About Greenville Technical College
235
Associate Degrees Awarded
$14,509
Average Early-Career Earnings
$6,075
Average Student Debt
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Spartanburg Methodist College. It ranked #4 on our 2025 Best Associate Degree Schools in South Carolina list. Located in Spartanburg, South Carolina, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 235 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
Graduates with a associate degree from SMC make an average of $14,509 per year during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by associate students is $6,075.
Full Spartanburg Methodist College Report
1,438
Associate Degrees Awarded
$50,166
Average Early-Career Earnings
$12,057
Average Student Debt
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Trident Technical College. The school came in at #5 in South Carolina on this year’s best associate degree schools ranking. Located in Charleston, South Carolina, the fairly large public school handed out 1,438 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
During the early years of their career, associate degree graduates from Trident Technical College make an average of $50,166 a year. The average amount of student debt accumulated by associate students is $12,057.
Learn More About Trident Technical College
315
Associate Degrees Awarded
Florence-Darlington Technical College landed the #6 spot on the 2025 Best Associate Degree Schools in South Carolina ranking. Florence-Darlington Technical College is located in Florence, South Carolina and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 315 associate degrees to qualified graduate students.
Full Florence-Darlington Technical College Report
888
Associate Degrees Awarded
$40,471
Average Early-Career Earnings
$14,000
Average Student Debt
Midlands Technical College ranked #6 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Schools in South Carolina list. West Columbia, South Carolina is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 888 students in 2021-2022.
The average salary of a graduate with a associate degree from MTC is $40,471 during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by associate students is $14,000.
Learn More About Midlands Technical College
925
Associate Degrees Awarded
$41,320
Average Early-Career Earnings
$10,299
Average Student Debt
With a ranking of #8, Horry-Georgetown Technical College did quite well on the 2025 Best Associate Degree Schools in South Carolina list. Horry-Georgetown Technical College is located in Conway, South Carolina and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 925 associate degrees to qualified graduate students.
Upon graduation, associate degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $41,320 during the early years of their career. Associate students carry an average student debt load of about $10,299 after getting their degree.
Read full report on Horry-Georgetown Technical College
258
Associate Degrees Awarded
$66,505
Average Early-Career Earnings
Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College did quite well in the 2025 Best Associate Degree Schools in South Carolina ranking, coming in at #9. Located in Orangeburg, South Carolina, the small public school awarded 258 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
The average salary of a graduate with a associate degree from OCtech is $66,505 during the early years of their career.
Full Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College Report
617
Associate Degrees Awarded
$41,106
Average Early-Career Earnings
Spartanburg Community College landed the #10 spot on the 2025 Best Associate Degree Schools in South Carolina ranking. Located in Spartanburg, South Carolina, the medium-sized public school awarded 617 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
During the early years of their career, associate degree graduates from Spartanburg Community College make an average of $41,106 a year.
Learn More About Spartanburg Community College
820
Associate Degrees Awarded
$47,890
Average Early-Career Earnings
Tri-County Technical College did quite well in the 2025 Best Associate Degree Schools in South Carolina ranking, coming in at #11. Located in Pendleton, South Carolina, the medium-sized public school awarded 820 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
Upon graduation, associate degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $47,890 during the early years of their career.
Learn More About Tri-County Technical College
631
Associate Degrees Awarded
$40,927
Average Early-Career Earnings
With a ranking of #12, Piedmont Technical College did quite well on the 2025 Best Associate Degree Schools in South Carolina list. This small public school is located in Greenwood, South Carolina, and it awarded 631 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Graduates with a associate degree from Piedmont Technical College make an average of $40,927 per year during the early years of their career.
Full Piedmont Technical College Report
215
Associate Degrees Awarded
$64,415
Average Early-Career Earnings
Aiken Technical College came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Schools in South Carolina ranking. Located in Graniteville, South Carolina, the small public school handed out 215 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Those who receive a associate degree from Aiken Technical College go into careers with an average salary of $64,415 during the early years of their career.
Learn More About Aiken Technical College
201
Associate Degrees Awarded
$49,219
Average Early-Career Earnings
Technical College of the Lowcountry landed the #14 spot on the 2025 Best Associate Degree Schools in South Carolina ranking. This small public school is located in Beaufort, South Carolina, and it awarded 201 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Those who receive a associate degree from TCL go into careers with an average salary of $49,219 during the early years of their career.
Full Technical College of the Lowcountry Report
673
Associate Degrees Awarded
$38,873
Average Early-Career Earnings
York Technical College did quite well in the 2025 Best Associate Degree Schools in South Carolina ranking, coming in at #15. Located in Rock Hill, South Carolina, the small public school awarded 673 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
Graduates with a associate degree from York Technical College make an average of $38,873 per year during the early years of their career.
Read full report on York Technical College
110
Associate Degrees Awarded
$19,438
Average Early-Career Earnings
University of South Carolina - Salkehatchie did quite well in the 2025 Best Associate Degree Schools in South Carolina ranking, coming in at #16. USC Salkehatchie is a small public school situated in Allendale, South Carolina. It awarded 110 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Those who receive a associate degree from USC Salkehatchie go into careers with an average salary of $19,438 during the early years of their career.
Full University of South Carolina - Salkehatchie Report
359
Associate Degrees Awarded
$57,989
Average Early-Career Earnings
Central Carolina Technical College did quite well in the 2025 Best Associate Degree Schools in South Carolina ranking, coming in at #17. Central Carolina Technical College is a small public school located in Sumter, South Carolina that handed out 359 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
During the early years of their career, associate degree graduates from Central Carolina make an average of $57,989 a year.
Read full report on Central Carolina Technical College
97
Associate Degrees Awarded
$18,455
Average Early-Career Earnings
University of South Carolina - Union ranked #18 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Schools in South Carolina list. University of South Carolina - Union is a small public school located in Union, South Carolina that handed out 97 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average salary of a graduate with a associate degree from USC Union is $18,455 during the early years of their career.
Read full report on University of South Carolina - Union
182
Associate Degrees Awarded
$22,995
Average Early-Career Earnings
University of South Carolina - Lancaster came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Schools in South Carolina ranking. USC Lancaster is located in Lancaster, South Carolina and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 182 associate degrees to qualified graduate students.
Those who receive a associate degree from USC Lancaster go into careers with an average salary of $22,995 during the early years of their career.
Read full report on University of South Carolina - Lancaster
175
Associate Degrees Awarded
$18,517
Average Early-Career Earnings
University of South Carolina - Sumter ranked #20 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Schools in South Carolina list. Located in Sumter, South Carolina, the small public school handed out 175 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
During the early years of their career, associate degree graduates from USC Sumter make an average of $18,517 a year.
Full University of South Carolina - Sumter Report
