Technical College of the Lowcountry

921 Ribaut Road
Beaufort, SC 29901
Top Ranked (2024-25): View Rankings
  • One of sixteen colleges comprising the South Carolina Technical College System, the Technical College of the Lowcountry traces its origin to the Mather School founded in 1868. The college is a comprehensive, public, two-year college dedicated to serving the diverse educational needs of the rural counties of Beaufort, Colleton, Hampton, and Jasper. The College annually serves approximately 8,500 credit and continuing education students, a mix of traditional, non-traditional, full-time, and part-time.

School Highlights

Technical College of the Lowcountry serves 2,046 students (23% of students are full-time).
The college's student:teacher ratio of 11:1 is lower than the state community college average of 12:1.
Minority enrollment is 96% of the student body (majority Asian), which is equal to the state average of 96%.

Quick Stats (2024-25)

  • Enrollment: 2,046 students
  • In-state tuition: $4,660
  • Out-state tuition: $8,812
  • Student:teacher ratio: 11:1
  • Minority enrollment: 96%
  • Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)

Top Rankings

Technical College of the Lowcountry ranks among the top 20% of public schools in South Carolina for:

Category
Attribute

School Overview

The teacher population of 189 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five years.
Technical College of the Lowcountry
(SC) Community College Avg.
Carnegie Classification
Associates Colleges
Associates Colleges
Institution Level
At least 2 but less than 4 years
At least 2 but less than 4 years
Institution Control
Public
Public
Total Faculty
189 staff
177 staff
This chart displays total faculty of Technical College of the Lowcountry and community college average number of faculty in South Carolina by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.

Student Body

The student population of Technical College of the Lowcountry has declined by 11% over five years.
The student:teacher ratio of 11:1 has decreased from 12:1 over five years.
The Technical College of the Lowcountry diversity score of 0.64 is more than the state average of 0.60. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five years.
Total Enrollment
2,046 students
1,619 students
This chart displays the total enrollment of Technical College of the Lowcountry and community college average number of enrollment of South Carolina by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Student : Teacher Ratio
11:1
12:1
This chart displays the student staff ratio of Technical College of the Lowcountry and community college average student staff ratio of South Carolina by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
# Full-Time Students
471 students
514 students
This chart displays the total number of Full-time students enrollment of Technical College of the Lowcountry and average number of community college Full-time students enrollment of South Carolina by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
# Part-Time Students
1,575 students
1,105 students
This chart displays the total number of Part-time students enrollment of Technical College of the Lowcountry and average number of community college Part-time students enrollment of South Carolina by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
This chart displays the Full-time students and Part-time students enrollment breakdown of Technical College of the Lowcountry.
This chart displays community college average Full-Time students and Part-Time students enrollment breakdown of South Carolina.
# Enrollment Undergraduate
145 students
359 students
# Full-Time Undergraduate Students
471 students
514 students
This chart displays the total number of Full-time undergraduate students enrollment of Technical College of the Lowcountry and average number of community college Full-time undergraduate  students enrollment of South Carolina by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
# Full-Time Graduate Students
n/a
4 students
# Part-Time Undergraduate Students
1,575 students
1,105 students
# Part-Time Graduate Students
n/a
10 students
Total Dormitory Capacity
n/a
260 students
% American Indian/Alaskan
1%
2%
This chart displays the percentage of American Indian/Alaskan students in Technical College of the Lowcountry and the percentage of American Indian/Alaskan community college students in South Carolina by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
% Asian
28%
28%
This chart displays the percentage of Asian students in Technical College of the Lowcountry and the percentage of Asian community college students in South Carolina by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
% Hispanic
n/a
n/a
This chart displays the percentage of Hispanic students in Technical College of the Lowcountry and the percentage of Hispanic community college students in South Carolina by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
% Black
15%
7%
This chart displays the percentage of Black students in Technical College of the Lowcountry and the percentage of Black community college students in South Carolina by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
% White
4%
4%
This chart displays the percentage of White students in Technical College of the Lowcountry and the percentage of White community college students in South Carolina by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
% Hawaiian
51%
56%
This chart displays the percentage of Hawaiian students in Technical College of the Lowcountry and the percentage of Hawaiian community college students in South Carolina by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
% Two or more races
1%
3%
This chart displays the percentage of Two or more races students in Technical College of the Lowcountry and the percentage of Two or more races community college students in South Carolina by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
This chart displays the percentage breakdown of students of all ethnic groups in Technical College of the Lowcountry.
This chart displays the percentage breakdown of students of all ethnic groups in South Carolina.
Diversity Score
0.64
0.60
This chart displays the diversity score of Technical College of the Lowcountry and the community college average diversity score of South Carolina by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in less than 4 years)
0.1209%
0.2629%
This chart displays completion rates for First-Time of Full-time students of Technical College of the Lowcountry and community college average completion rates for First-Time of Full-time students of South Carolina by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in 4 years or more than 4 years)
n/a
0.2967%
Average Graduate Earnings (10 Years)
$29,000
$28,800
This chart displays average graduate earnings (10 Years) of Technical College of the Lowcountry and community college average graduate earnings (10 Years) of South Carolina by year, disaggregated by student subgroups with the latest 2012-13 school year data.

Tuition and Acceptance Rate

The public in-state tuition of $4,660 is less than the state average of $5,692. The in-state tuition has declined by 11% over four years.
The public out-state tuition of $8,812 is less than the state average of $10,568. The out-state tuition has declined by 12% over four years.
In-State Tuition Fees
$4,660
$5,692
This chart displays tuition fees for an in-state student of Technical College of the Lowcountry and the public community college average tuition fees for an in-state student of South Carolina by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Out-State Tuition Fees
$8,812
$10,568
This chart displays tuition fees for an out-of-state student of Technical College of the Lowcountry and the public community college average tuition fees for an out-of-state student of South Carolina by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
% Students Receiving Some Financial Aid
93%
93%
This chart displays the percent of students who is receiving some financial aid in Technical College of the Lowcountry and the percent of community college students who is receiving some financial aid in South Carolina by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Median Debt for Graduates
$9,877
$11,729
This chart displays median debt for students who have completed a certificate or degree in Technical College of the Lowcountry and average median debt for community college students who have completed a certificate or degree in South Carolina by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Median Debt for Dropouts
$5,500
$5,500
This chart displays median debt for students who have not completed a certificate or degree in Technical College of the Lowcountry and average median debt for community college students who have not completed a certificate or degree in South Carolina by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Acceptance Rate
n/a
88%
SAT Reading
n/a
430
SAT Math
n/a
458
SAT Writing
n/a
413
ACT Composite
n/a
18
ACT English
n/a
17
ACT Math
n/a
18
ACT Writing
n/a
6
Source: 2023 (or latest year available) Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)

School Notes

  • The Technical College of the Lowcountry provides quality, affordable academic and technical programs leading to Associate Degrees, Diplomas, and Certificates in an environment fostering excellence in teaching and learning. The College prepares graduates with knowledge and skills for transfer to senior colleges and universities and for careers in computer technology, industrial technology, engineering technology, occupational technology, business, health sciences, and public service. As an open admissions institution, the Technical College of the Lowcountry offers over 70 academic, transfer, and specialized programs. Offerings include developmental education; arts and sciences; career development; specialized, contract courses tailored for specific businesses and industries; and continuing education to meet the workforce needs of the Lowcountry. TCL is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS), National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission, Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs, National Accrediting Commission of Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS) and Paralegal program approved by the American Bar Association.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Technical College of the Lowcountry cost?
Technical College of the Lowcountry's tuition is approximately $4,660 for In-State students and $8,812 for Out-State students.
What schools are Technical College of the Lowcountry often compared to?
Technical College of the Lowcountryis often viewed alongside schools like University of South Carolina Beaufort by visitors of our site.
What is Technical College of the Lowcountry's ranking?
Technical College of the Lowcountry ranks among the top 20% of community college in South Carolina for: Diversity in US community colleges.

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Quick Stats (2024-25)

  • Enrollment: 2,046 students
  • In-state tuition: $4,660
  • Out-state tuition: $8,812
  • Student:teacher ratio: 11:1
  • Minority enrollment: 96%
  • Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)

Related School Videos

Did You Know?

For South Carolina public community colleges, the average tuition is approximately $5,692 per year for in-state students and $10,568 for out-of-state students. For private community colleges, the average yearly tuition is approximately $11,532 per year. Read more about average community college tuition costs across the country.

The average community college acceptance rate in South Carolina is 89%. Read more about national community college acceptance rates.

South Carolina community colleges have a diversity score of 0.60, which is lower than the national average of 0.75. The most diverse community college in South Carolina is Florence-Darlington Technical College. Read more about community college diversity statistics in the USA.

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