Tri-County Technical College (TCTC) vs Spartanburg Community College

Tri-County Technical College and Spartanburg Community College, both esteemed institutions of higher learning in South Carolina, offer diverse educational opportunities to students seeking a solid foundation for their academic and professional pursuits. While sharing a commitment to excellence, these colleges exhibit distinct characteristics that cater to different student needs and aspirations. Tri-County Technical College boasts an open admissions policy, welcoming a broader range of students, while Spartanburg Community College maintains a more selective admissions process. In terms of academic offerings, Tri-County Technical College excels in technical and career-oriented programs, preparing students for immediate entry into the workforce, while Spartanburg Community College offers a wider range of academic transfer programs, enabling students to seamlessly transition to four-year universities. Explore the comprehensive comparison table below to delve into further details about acceptance rates, popular majors, student body demographics, graduation rates, and more, empowering you to make an informed decision that aligns with your unique educational goals.

	Spartanburg Community College	Tri-County Technical College
Overview
Location	Spartanburg, South Carolina	Pendleton, South Carolina
Campus setting	Suburb: Midsize	Suburb: Large
College type	2 year	2 year
Control/business model	Public	Public
Calendar system	Semester	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate	Undergraduate
Students retention rate	66.0%	30.0%
Common app member	No	No
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	Open Admission	Open Admission
Application fees		$30
SAT range	N/A	N/A
ACT range	N/A	N/A
Students submitting SAT score
Students submitting ACT score
Total number of applicants
Total number of admissions given out
Admitted students who chose to enroll
Yield rate
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	Not required
High school GPA	N/A	N/A
Recommendation letters	N/A	N/A
High school transcript	N/A	N/A
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	N/A	N/A

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	In state: $22,663 Out of state: $26,455	In state: $19,985 Out of state: $24,459
Average net price	$4,195	$8,121
Tuition	In state: $5,880 Out of state: $9,672	In state: $5,648 Out of state: $10,112
Room & board
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	98.0% Average amount $8,899	95.0% Average amount $7,786
Students receiving federal student loan	6.0% Average amount $3,150	20.0% Average amount $5,070
Students taking out private loans	1.0% Average amount $6,667	4.0% Average amount $12,973

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	6,097 Men 38.5% Women 61.5%	5,617 Men 46.2% Women 53.8%
Graduate students	N/A	N/A
Racial/ethnic diversity	Moderate	Low
Out-of-state students	1.1%	12.0%
International students	N/A	N/A
Campus local/setting	Suburb: Midsize	Suburb: Large
Dormitory capacity	N/A	N/A
First year students are required to live on campus?	N/A	N/A
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	South Carolina California Georgia North Carolina Connecticut	South Carolina North Carolina Georgia New Jersey Maryland

Academics
Popular study areas	Liberal Arts Engineering Technologies Health Professions Business Precision Production	Liberal Arts Health Professions Automotive Technology Engineering Technologies Business
Students to faculty ratio	20:1	19:1
Institutional accreditation	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Outcome
Graduation rate	26.1%	36.2%
Dropout rate	50.3%	26.4%
Transferred out	8.7%	31.9%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Associate's Degrees) Year 1: $54,105 Year 2: $51,106 Year 3: $57,729 Precision Metal Working (Associate's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $54,418 Year 3: $56,716 Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Associate's Degrees) Year 1: $50,031 Year 2: $50,856 Year 3: $56,250 Precision Metal Working (Undergraduate Certificates or Diplomas) Year 1: $37,767 Year 2: $36,185 Year 3: $41,748 Data Processing (Associate's Degrees) Year 1: $33,992 Year 2: $33,138 Year 3: $36,182 Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other (Associate's Degrees) Year 1: $33,363 Year 2: $35,772 Year 3: $33,209 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Associate's Degrees) Year 1: $30,709 Year 2: $32,925 Year 3: $31,134 Business Operations Support and Assistant Services (Associate's Degrees) Year 1: $29,777 Year 2: $30,119 Year 3: $30,555 Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (Associate's Degrees) Year 1: $19,700 Year 2: $24,730 Year 3: $28,727 Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services (Undergraduate Certificates or Diplomas) Year 1: $27,527 Year 2: $26,187 Year 3: $27,485	Electrical/Electronics Maintenance and Repair Technology (Associate's Degrees) Year 1: $54,890 Year 2: $60,049 Year 3: $64,792 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Associate's Degrees) Year 1: $55,523 Year 2: $55,693 Year 3: $59,913 Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other (Associate's Degrees) Year 1: $46,789 Year 2: $44,595 Year 3: $45,968 Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants (Undergraduate Certificates or Diplomas) Year 1: $38,567 Year 2: $34,704 Year 3: $39,069 Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions (Associate's Degrees) Year 1: $32,874 Year 2: $35,594 Year 3: $38,103 Data Processing (Associate's Degrees) Year 1: $26,996 Year 2: $33,637 Year 3: $37,762 Criminal Justice and Corrections (Associate's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $29,685 Year 3: $37,123 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Associate's Degrees) Year 1: $27,930 Year 2: $30,305 Year 3: $33,893 Accounting and Related Services (Associate's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $28,236 Year 3: $30,565 Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services (Associate's Degrees) Year 1: $28,943 Year 2: N/A Year 3: $29,145

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between Tri-County Technical College and Spartanburg Community College?

Tri-County Technical College and Spartanburg Community College both offer excellent technical education in South Carolina, but they have distinct focuses. Tri-County Tech is known for its strong industry partnerships and emphasis on advanced manufacturing and technology programs. Spartanburg Community College, while also offering technical programs, has a broader range of academic transfer options and a larger focus on healthcare-related fields. Consider your career goals when deciding which college aligns best with your aspirations.
Which college has a stronger focus on university transfer programs?

Spartanburg Community College generally has a stronger emphasis on university transfer programs. They offer a wider array of Associate of Arts and Associate of Science degrees specifically designed to transfer to four-year institutions. While Tri-County Tech also offers transfer options, their primary focus is on preparing students for direct entry into the workforce.
How do the tuition costs compare between Tri-County Technical College and Spartanburg Community College?

Tuition costs at both Tri-County Technical College and Spartanburg Community College are generally comparable, as they are both part of the South Carolina Technical College System. However, it's always best to check the most current tuition rates on each college's website, as they can fluctuate. Also, remember to factor in fees, books, and other expenses when calculating the total cost of attendance.
Which college is better for students interested in advanced manufacturing or engineering technologies?

Tri-County Technical College is generally considered to be stronger in advanced manufacturing and engineering technologies. They have state-of-the-art facilities and strong relationships with local manufacturing companies, providing students with valuable hands-on experience and internship opportunities in these fields.
Does either college offer online programs?

Yes, both Tri-County Technical College and Spartanburg Community College offer a variety of online programs and courses. The specific programs available online may differ, so it's best to check each college's website to see which online options align with your academic goals.
How do the campus locations and environments differ?

Tri-County Technical College has multiple campus locations, with its main campus in Pendleton, SC. Spartanburg Community College also has multiple campuses, with its main campus in Spartanburg, SC. The campus environments are similar in that they are designed to support student learning and success. Consider the proximity of each campus to your home and the specific resources available at each location when making your decision.
What types of student support services are available at each college?

Both Tri-County Technical College and Spartanburg Community College offer a comprehensive range of student support services, including academic advising, tutoring, career counseling, disability services, and financial aid assistance. They are both committed to helping students succeed academically and professionally. Check each college's website for a complete list of available services.
Which college has stronger ties to local industries for internships and job placement?

While both colleges have strong ties to local industries, Tri-County Technical College is particularly known for its close partnerships with manufacturing and technology companies in the Upstate region of South Carolina. This often translates to more internship and job placement opportunities for students in those fields. Spartanburg Community College also has strong industry connections, particularly in healthcare and business.
How do the class sizes compare at Tri-County Technical College and Spartanburg Community College?

Generally, both Tri-County Technical College and Spartanburg Community College strive to maintain relatively small class sizes to provide students with more individualized attention. However, class sizes can vary depending on the specific program and course. You can often find average class size information on each college's website or by contacting their admissions offices.
Which college is a better fit for students interested in healthcare programs?

Spartanburg Community College has a strong reputation for its healthcare programs. They offer a wide range of options, including nursing, medical assisting, and other allied health fields. While Tri-County Technical College also offers some healthcare programs, Spartanburg Community College generally has a broader selection and a larger focus in this area.

Compare Similar Colleges

The list of suggested college comparisons provided below is generated automatically by our system, utilizing statistics gathered from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and various online sources. If you don't find the colleges you wish to compare, please visit our comparison page. There, you can search for the specific colleges and initiate your comparison.

Spartanburg Community College

Georgia Northwestern Technical College