Career Training Path › South Carolina › Tri-County Technical College
Tri-County Technical College
Pendleton, South Carolina · Public technical college
Address: 7900 U.S. Hwy 76, Pendleton, SC 29670 · Phone: (864) 646-8282 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
No accreditor sanctions in the last 36 months
Tri-County Technical College is a public trade school in Pendleton, South Carolina, offering welding, auto mechanic, and LPN programs, accredited by SACS.
Tri-County Technical College has a 42.4% completion rate, below the state average of 52.0%; median graduate debt is $9,000 and median earnings 10 years after entry are $40,101, per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data. Federal financial aid can be used here, and 35.7% of students receive Pell Grants.
What these trades pay once you're working
| Occupation | Starting (10th pct) | Median | Experienced (75th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Welders, cutters, solderers and brazers | $38,720 | $49,980 | $58,370 |
| Automotive service technicians and mechanics | $31,200 | $48,100 | $63,610 |
| Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses | $50,370 | $61,820 | $71,220 |
| HVAC and refrigeration mechanics and installers | $39,170 | $56,610 | $62,990 |
| Machinists | $38,270 | $57,970 | $65,290 |
| Dental assistants | $37,070 | $47,320 | $50,780 |
| Surgical technologists | $38,830 | $62,160 | $67,080 |
| Medical assistants | $34,730 | $41,160 | $46,950 |
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wages for everyone employed in the occupation in South Carolina (May 2025; national where the state figure is not published). The program table below shows what this campus's own graduates earned in their first year, whatever job they took.
Trade programs at this campus
| Program | Credential | Grads / yr | Earnings, yr 1 | Earnings, yr 2 | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 128 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | Certificate, 1–2 years | 51 | $38,567 | $34,704 | $9,500 |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, under 300 hours | 50 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 47 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 29 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, under 300 hours | 29 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) | Associate degree | 19 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions | Certificate, 1–2 years | 18 | $27,540 | $24,615 | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Associate degree | 14 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 13 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 11 | $26,248 | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Associate degree | 5 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Associate degree | 4 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 3 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Associate degree | 3 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
Earnings are median wages and self-employment income reported to the IRS (W-2 and Schedule SE) for graduates who received federal aid and were working and not enrolled, measured in the calendar year after finishing. They are pay only: health insurance, retirement contributions and other benefits are not included.
Graduates per year from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey. Earnings and debt are College Scorecard field-of-study medians for graduates of this program at this campus (reported at the 4-digit program level, so closely related programs share a figure); "not reported" means too few graduates were counted to publish a figure.
About this school
Tri-County Technical College is a public trade and career-training campus in Pendleton, South Carolina. It is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, with additional programmatic accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing and the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation. Federal financial aid, including FAFSA and Pell Grants, can be used here. The college offers 15 program families, most notably welding schools, auto mechanic schools, and LPN/LVN programs, alongside HVAC, CNC machining, dental assisting, surgical technology, and medical assisting.
Among the numbers reported in federal data: the completion rate is 42.4%, which is below the South Carolina state average of 52.0%. Median debt for graduates is $9,000, and median earnings ten years after entry are $40,101. Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data. About 35.7% of students receive Pell Grants, and total undergraduate enrollment is 5,071, with 424 trade program completers.
This campus may suit students seeking shorter, hands-on trade credentials such as welding or auto mechanics, though program lengths themselves are not detailed in this data. The presence of Pell recipients and mixed program offerings suggests a student body that includes both recent high school graduates and adults training for new careers, though this fit is not directly confirmed by the data provided. Prospective students should verify current accreditation status and outcomes directly through the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and confirm program details with the school.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
Tri-County Technical College offers 15 program families, most notably welding schools, auto mechanic schools, and LPN/LVN programs. It also includes HVAC, CNC machining, dental assisting, surgical technology, and medical assisting programs.
Is this school accredited, and by whom?
Yes, the college is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, with programmatic accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing and the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation.
Can I use federal financial aid (FAFSA, Pell Grants) at this school?
Yes, this school participates in Title IV federal financial aid programs, so students can use FAFSA and Pell Grants here.
What share of students finish their program here, and how does that compare to the state?
The completion rate is 42.4%, which is below the South Carolina state average of 52.0%.
How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?
Median debt for graduates is $9,000, per federal data.
What do graduates of this school earn?
Median earnings for graduates ten years after entry are $40,101, per federal data.
How much does it cost to attend for a year?
Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data. Contact the school directly at (864) 646-8282 or visit https://www.tctc.edu/ for current tuition information.
Is this a public, non-profit, or for-profit school, and why does that matter?
Tri-County Technical College is a public institution, which typically means lower tuition for in-state residents and eligibility for state funding, though specific tuition figures are not reported here.
How long do the programs here take to complete?
Program lengths are not reported in this data. Contact the school directly to confirm program schedules and duration.
How do I verify this school's accreditation and outcomes myself?
You can verify accreditation and outcomes through the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?218885.
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
The data shows a mix of program families, including short, hands-on trades like welding and auto mechanics, but specific fit for career changers is not detailed in federal data. Contact the school to discuss options for adult or returning students.
What license or certification will I need after finishing a program here?
Licensing requirements are not reported in this data. Check with the relevant program family's accrediting body or the school directly.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can contact Tri-County Technical College at (864) 646-8282 or visit https://www.tctc.edu/ to learn about admissions.
How does this campus compare with other schools offering the same trade nearby?
Comparative data with other nearby schools is not reported for this campus in federal data. Check the College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?218885 for comparisons.
Data: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey; College Scorecard June 2026; Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP), September 2026. Figures are the U.S. Department of Education's official measures, not Career Training Path's opinion. Tuition, schedules and program availability change — confirm with the school before enrolling.