Trident Technical College
#1 Most Affordable Colleges in South Carolina- Graduation Rate
- 29% F
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $38,253 C-
- Below average for college graduates
- Net Price
- $1,406 A+
- 92% less than the typical college
- Enrollment
- 10,512
Bottom line: A C+ overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 160.2× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $160.2 over 20 years. Ranked #1 in Most Affordable Colleges in South Carolina.
Every $1 spent returns $160.2 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $895,317.
What The Data Says
-
A C+ overall — outcomes above the typical U.S. college.
-
Graduation of 29% — 49% below the national average.
-
Every $1 invested returns $160.2 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
About Trident Technical College
Trident Technical College is profiled below with full outcomes data from federal sources.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public Community College
- Carnegie Class
- Associate's College
- Enrollment
- 10,512
- Setting
- Urban
- Primary Strengths
- Health Professions, Humanities, Business & Marketing, Computer Science & IT
Why students choose Trident Technical College
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
This school does not report a competitive admit rate — most qualified applicants are admitted.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $1,406 a year after grants and scholarships — 92% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $38,253 ten years after enrolling — 6% below the typical college, against $13,029 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.5% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 46% nationally for mobility. High social capital (0.80 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With over 10,500 students enrolled, Trident Technical College serves a diverse population looking to gain practical skills in fields like Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Computer Science, and Culinary Arts. This college is a solid choice for those seeking a hands-on education that can lead directly into the workforce. The focus is clear: students are here to learn skills that matter in today’s job market, making it an appealing option for anyone wanting to start their career journey.
When it comes to what life looks like after graduation, students can expect to earn an average of $38,253 within a decade of completing their studies. This figure reflects a pathway to financial stability, particularly important for those who may have started in the bottom 20% of their high school class. Affordability is also a key aspect, with a net price of just $1,406 after aid. This makes it accessible for many, especially considering that 28% of students receive Pell Grants, which helps to ease the financial burden.
Looking at the practical side, students usually graduate with a median debt of $13,029, which is relatively manageable compared to potential earnings. Those who thrive here are often those who are ready to dive into their studies and make the most of the support available. With a focus on community and practical skill development, Trident Technical College can be a great stepping stone toward a fulfilling career.
Rankings
- #1 Most Affordable Colleges in South Carolina
- #2 Best Nursing Colleges in South Carolina
- #5 Best Computer Science Colleges in South Carolina
- #5 Best Data Science Colleges in South Carolina
- #9 Most Affordable Online Public Universities
- #10 Most Affordable Online Colleges
- #12 Best Online Colleges in South Carolina
- #13 Best Colleges in South Carolina
Can I Get In?
How selective Trident Technical College is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Trident Technical College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Charleston, South Carolina, Trident Technical College enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 29%.
- Retention Rate
- 59%
- Full-Time Faculty
- 46%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $6,683
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 20:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.67
- First-Gen Students
- 43%
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Trident Technical College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Trident Technical College is $8,620, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $1,406. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $1,057 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $13,029 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $4,546
- Out-of-State
- $8,620
- Avg Net Price
- $1,406
- Median Debt
- $13,029
- Pell Grant Rate
- 28%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 13%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $1,057
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $516
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $1,141
- Family Income $110K+
- $6,542
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Trident Technical College — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Trident Technical College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Trident Technical College report median earnings of $38,253, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $33,306
- 8 Years
- $35,256
- 10 Years
- $38,253
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.34x
- Earning > $25K
- 49%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (296)
- 21%
- 100% (296)
- 21%
- 100% (296)
- 21%
- 100% (296)
- 21%
How Trident Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Trident Technical College Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Trident Technical College delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $1,406/year ($5,624 total). Graduates earn $38,253 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $900,941 in total earnings — a net gain of $895,317 (160.2× your investment). The median debt is $13,029, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 29% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $5,624
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $900,941
- Net Return
- $895,317
- ROI Multiple
- 160.2×
- Cost Per Year
- $1,406
- Median Debt
- $13,029
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 29%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Trident Technical College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Trident Technical College is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.54%, well above the typical college. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 16.8% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 9.2% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $63,500, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 1.54%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 9.2%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 16.8%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $86,274
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Endowment
- $4,992,970
- Investment Income
- $69,323
Top Programs
The fields Trident Technical College awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Health Professions 26%
- Humanities 20%
- Business & Marketing 15%
- Computer Science & IT 10%
- Culinary & Personal Services 7%
- Mechanic & Repair Tech 5%
- Visual & Performing Arts 3%
- Construction Trades 2%
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Trident Technical College's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPetroleum Engineer$135,690 · 2% growthResilient 72
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Trident Technical College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Charleston, South Carolina, Trident Technical College enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 29%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Trident Technical College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Trident Technical College is $8,620, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $1,406. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $1,057 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $13,029 in federal student loans.
Is Trident Technical College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Trident Technical College report median earnings of $38,253, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
Does Trident Technical College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Trident Technical College is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.54%, well above the typical college. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 16.8% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 9.2% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $63,500, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Trident Technical College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs below average at Trident Technical College. Its economic connectedness score is 0.80, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias sits near the middle of the range (0.10). Around 5% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Trident Technical College.
- Hartnell CollegeSalinas, CA · Close peer35% grad $44,316 earnWhy: similar grad rate
- San Diego City CollegeSan Diego, CA · Close peer28% grad $38,503 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Oklahoma City Community CollegeOklahoma City, OK · Close peer24% grad $38,146 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate
- Macomb Community CollegeWarren, MI · Close peer17% grad $41,596 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar size
- Metropolitan Community College AreaOmaha, NE · Close peer27% grad $38,773 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate
- Tidewater Community CollegeNorfolk, VA · Close peer31% grad $38,349 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Trident Technical College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs below average at Trident Technical College. Its economic connectedness score is 0.80, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias sits near the middle of the range (0.10). Around 5% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note