About
Technical College of the Lowcountry, located in Beaufort South Carolina, traces its origin to the Mather School which was founded in 1968 to provide education for newly freed slaves. By 1967 the school was transferred over to the state as part of a campaign to establish a statewide technical college system. Over the next two decades as part of the South Carolina Technical College System the school went through multiple name revisions, eventually being given its current in 1988 to better reflect its service area and program offerings.
Academics
TCL offers a variety of programs and courses to assist student in their pursuit of career training or transfer opportunities. Career training programs allow students to receive an education in a high demand field or industry with the purpose of seeking long term employment upon completion. Programs take between one and two years to complete, resulting in a certificate or degree. Academic transfer programs allow students to complete the first two years of a four year education, followed by applying for transfer to colleges and universities in order to continue their education and earn a bachelor's degree.
Programs offered include:
Admissions and Financial Aid
Technical College of the Lowcountry is an open enrollment institution dedicated to providing educational opportunities for residents of its service area. As such the school maintains an open enrollment policy that admits any student that has earned a high school degree or equivalent or is eighteen years of age or older. Students are asked to supply relevant academic information and may be required to take a placement exam prior to registration. Financial aid is available in the form of loans, grants and scholarships and is awarded based on need as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Estimated Costs & Financial Aid
The average "out of pocket" cost of attendance, after any grants and scholarships are considered, is around $4,500. To calculate a more personalized cost visit the net price calculator. The figures listed below are for informational purposes only and do not represent current or future tuition, fees, and expenses.
Tuition & Fees Information
- Tuition estimates per year:
- State Residents: $4,000-$4,800
- Out-of-State: $8,900-$10,660
- Part-time students are charged:
- State Residents: $170-$200 per credit unit
- Nonresidents: $370-$440 per credit unit
Financial Aid Details
The table below breaks down the types of financial aid, the percent of students receiving aid, and average amount of aid per student per year.
| Percent of Students | Average Amount | |
|---|---|---|
| Any Financial Aid | 90% | - |
| Receiving Grants & Scholarships | 90% | $6,006 |
| Receiving Student Loans | 6% | $2,701 |
Admissions, Academics, & Student Services
Student Services
To support students and graduates, Technical College of the Lowcountry may provide services like:
- Online course work available
- Night and weekend classes available
- Remedial courses
- Academic counseling for students
- Employing students to lower education costs
- Assistance to find work
Graduation & Transfer Rates
Students who attend a community college will be able to choose from a variety of programs that will lead to an associate's degree or transfer to a four year institution. The following list shows graduation and transfer-out rates for Technical College of the Lowcountry compared to community colleges in South Carolina, which can be useful for determining which community college to attend.
| TCL | Beaufort County | South Carolina | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Graduation Rate | 9.9% | - | 12.0% |
| Transfer-out Rate | 27.2% | - | 17.6% |
Specialized Programs & Accreditations
Campus: Technical College of the Lowcountry - New River Campus
- Massage Therapy & Bodywork Program
- Accredited by the Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation (since 2011)
Campus: Technical College of the Lowcountry
- Associate's Degree in Nursing (ADN) Program
- Accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc. ? May 6, 2013 Formerly: National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (since 1987)
- See a list of all associate's degree in nursing (ADN) programs in South Carolina
- Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) Program
- Accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc. ? May 6, 2013 Formerly: National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (since 1998)
- Radiology Technician Program
- Accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (since 2005)
Programs Offered
The program list below is organized by areas of study. The programs that have a link will direct you to the program's profile page where you can learn more about education requirements and career pathways.
Get more information about the programs offered by Technical College of the Lowcountry by clicking the request information to the right.
(C) Certificate or Award | (A) Associate's | (B) Bachelor's | (M) Master's Degree | (D) Doctorate (PhD,...)
Business and Marketing Studies
- Commerce (A, C)
- Administrative Assistant (A)
- General Office Occupations and Clerical Services (C)
- Accounting (C)
Computer and Information Sciences
- Data Processing Technology (A, C)
Construction Trades
Engineering
Engineering Technology
- Mechanical Drafting and Mechanical Drafting cad (C)
- Construction Engineering Technology (C)
- Civil Engineering Technology (A, C)
- Survey Technology (C)
Family and Consumer Sciences
- Child Care Provider (C)
- Child Care (A)
Health and Clinical Professions
- Nursing (A)
- Medical Executive Assistant (C)
- Health Preparatory Programs (C)
- Physical Therapist Assistant (A, C)
- Radiology Technician (A)
- Surgical Technologist (C)
- Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) (C)
Interdisciplinary Studies
Legal Professions and Studies
- Paralegal (A, C)
Liberal Arts and Sciences
- Liberal Arts (A, C)
- General Studies (C)
Mechanic and Repair Technology
Personal and Culinary Services
- Cosmetology (C)
Security and Protective Services
- Criminal Justice (A, C)
Other Community Colleges Nearby
The list of nearby schools has been selected by researching which schools offer similar programs to Technical College of the Lowcountry.
- Denmark Technical College in Denmark, SC (67 miles away)
- Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College in Orangeburg, SC (78 miles away)
- East Georgia College in Swainsboro, GA (95 miles away)
- Williamsburg Technical College in Kingstree, SC (97 miles away)
- Aiken Technical College in Graniteville, SC (101 miles away)