Trident Technical College Tuition & Completion (2026)
Trident Technical College is a public community college in Charleston, South Carolina, with about 10,512 students. The college offers associate degrees, career certificates, and transfer pathways to four-year universities. Typical net price after grant aid is about $1,406 for students who receive it, compared with published tuition near $4,546. Student demographics in federal data include White (47.0%) and Black or African American (31.2%) among the largest enrollment groups.
Key Facts
- 2024 Undergraduate Tuition: $4,546
- 2024 Average Net Price: $1,406 After Financial Aid
- 2024 Acceptance Rate: N/A Moderate Selectivity
- 2024 Enrolled Students: 10,512 37.1% Full-Time
- 2024 Graduation Rate: 29.63%
- Carnegie Classification: Associate's Colleges: Mixed Transfer/Vocational & Technical-Mixed Traditional/Nontraditional
- First-Generation Students: 42.8%
- Tuition trend: In-state tuition increase of 0.0% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Net price trend: Average net price decrease of 1382.9% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Full-Time Faculty: 46.0%
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 20,631
- Room & Board: $9,600 annual estimate
Trident Technical College: what the data shows
Common questions about Trident Technical College, answered from College Scorecard and IPEDS in this repository.
Where is Trident Technical College?
Trident Technical College is located in Charleston, SC (ZIP 29423-8067).
NCES locale classification: Suburb.
Is Trident Technical College public or private?
Trident Technical College is a Public institution.
How much does Trident Technical College cost?
Published tuition: $4,546 in-state, $8,620 out-of-state.
Average net price after aid: $1,406.
| Family income band | Avg. net price |
|---|---|
| Family income $0–$30,000 | $1,057 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $516 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $1,141 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $2,174 |
| $110,001+ | $6,542 |
Sticker tuition × four years (estimate, no room/board): $18,184.
How big is Trident Technical College?
Total enrollment: 10,512 students.
Undergraduate enrollment: 20,631 students.
About 37% enroll full-time in our extract.
What is the graduation rate at Trident Technical College?
150%-time completion rate: 29.63%.
First-year retention: 59.2%.
What do graduates of Trident Technical College earn?
Median earnings: $33,306 six years after entry; $38,253 ten years after entry (College Scorecard).
How much debt do students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers: $13,029.
28.24% of students receive Pell grants.
What is Trident Technical College known for?
Largest IPEDS program completions at this institution:
- Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies (630 completions)
- Pre-Nursing Studies (204 completions)
- Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse (162 completions)
- Business/Commerce, General (120 completions)
- Accounting (116 completions)
- Culinary Arts/Chef Training (115 completions)
- Data Processing and Data Processing Technology/Technician (114 completions)
- Computer and Information Systems Security/Auditing/Information Assurance (114 completions)
- Commercial and Advertising Art (87 completions)
- Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services, Other (80 completions)
See ROI & Programs for more.
Is Trident Technical College a good school?
We do not score schools on opinion. Federal data in our extract show completion rate 29.63%; median earnings $38,253 at 10 years; net price $1,406. Compare these figures to your cost, aid, and career goals.
Tuition & Cost
Tuition Costs
$4,546
2024 Undergraduate Tuition
In 2024, the cost of tuition at Trident Technical College was $4,546.
Tuition comparison with similar institutions.
Average Net Price
$1,406
2024 Value
In 2024 Trident Technical College had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $1,406.
Average net price comparison with similar institutions.
Total Cost of Attendance
$5,624 Estimated 4-Year Total Cost
$1,406 Average Annual Net Price (after aid)
$18,184 4-Year In-State Tuition
$34,480 4-Year Out-of-State Tuition
$9,600 Room & Board (annual, on-campus estimate)
$1,495 Books & Supplies (annual estimate)
$15,641 Estimated Annual Sticker (tuition + room/board + books)
$62,564 Estimated 4-Year Sticker (before aid)
4-year total cost breakdown for Trident Technical College.
Financial Aid by Income Level
28.24% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants
13.25% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans
Financial aid distribution by income level.
Student Loan Default Rate
0.00%
3-year cohort default rate (College Scorecard)
The published 3-year cohort default rate for borrowers at Trident Technical College was 0.00%.
Cohort default rates account for borrowers who default in the first three years.
Tuition tracker
Published tuition and average net price by reporting year come from the College Scorecard institution file. Values are not adjusted for inflation; missing cells mean the field was not reported or was suppressed for Trident Technical College in that year.
Reporting years in the table below: 2013–2023 (Scorecard labels refer to the institutional submission cycle).
| Year | In-state tuition & fees | Out-of-state tuition & fees | Average net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | $3,822 | $7,210 | $6,433 |
| 2014 | $3,942 | $7,434 | $8,477 |
| 2015 | $4,039 | $7,645 | $7,701 |
| 2016 | $4,155 | $7,837 | $7,369 |
| 2017 | $4,394 | $8,188 | $4,943 |
| 2018 | $4,551 | $8,484 | $4,409 |
| 2019 | $4,648 | $8,690 | $1,137 |
| 2020 | $4,648 | $8,690 | $943 |
| 2021 | $4,648 | $8,690 | $1,057 |
| 2022 | $4,564 | $8,606 | $251 |
| 2023 | $4,564 | $8,606 | $-3,220 |
Sticker tuition and net price over time
Where the institution reported separate in-state and out-of-state tuition, both appear. Gaps mean the value was not reported for that year.
College Scorecard reporting-year fields (not inflation-adjusted).
Net price by family income
Brackets follow Scorecard definitions for the series shown (public vs private institution).
Latest income-band net prices available in the processed extract.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
Acceptance Rate
Acceptance rate data is not available for this institution.
Acceptance rate compared to national average.
Test Scores
Test score data is not available for this institution.
Average SAT and ACT scores for admitted students.
Academic Requirements
GPA requirements are not published by this institution. Contact the admissions office for specific academic requirements.
Estimated GPA and test score ranges.
Enrollment & Student Demographics
Trident Technical College reported total enrollment of about 10,512 students in the latest College Scorecard extract. The student body is about 35% male and 65% female. Enrollment by race and ethnicity includes White (47.0%), Black or African American (31.2%), and Hispanic or Latino (10.3%). About 28.24% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. Roughly 42.8% of students are first-generation college students.
Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment
37.1% Full-Time Enrollment
The total enrollment at Trident Technical College in 2024 is 10,512 students.
Undergraduate enrollment is about 20,631 students.
Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.
Retention Rate over Time
59.2%
2024 Retention Rate
Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall.
Retention rate over time compared to similar institutions.
Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity
The largest enrollment share in our College Scorecard extract is White at 47.0%.
Shares are for total enrollment (undergraduate and graduate combined when reported).
College Scorecard student demographics.
Graduates & Outcomes
Time to Complete
19.84% 100% Completion Time
29.63% 150% Completion Time
In 2024, 19.84% of students graduating from Trident Technical College completed their program within 100% "normal time".
Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.
Completions by Sex (Top Programs)
- Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies: 36% male / 64% female
- Pre-Nursing Studies: 8% male / 92% female
- Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse: 10% male / 90% female
IPEDS completions by sex for the five largest programs (aggregate CIPs excluded).
Completions by Race & Ethnicity
Combined IPEDS award counts across reported programs; largest group: White.
Summed across program completion records in our extract.
ROI & Programs
Financial value and program information for Trident Technical College.
Return on Investment
$13,029 Median Student Debt
$38,253 Median Annual Earnings (10 years)
34.06% Debt-to-Earnings Ratio
6701.74% Return on Investment
3.4 years Estimated Payback Period
Financial value analysis for Trident Technical College.
Top Programs by Completions
10 largest programs by IPEDS completions (of 75 reported codes; aggregate/unknown CIP buckets excluded).
1. Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies: 630 completions
2. Pre-Nursing Studies: 204 completions
3. Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse: 162 completions
4. Business/Commerce, General: 120 completions
5. Accounting: 116 completions
6. Culinary Arts/Chef Training: 115 completions
7. Data Processing and Data Processing Technology/Technician: 114 completions
8. Computer and Information Systems Security/Auditing/Information Assurance: 114 completions
9. Commercial and Advertising Art: 87 completions
Most popular programs at Trident Technical College.
Employment Outcomes
Employment outcome data is not available for this institution.
Earnings outcomes for Trident Technical College graduates.
Operations
Instructional staffing and expenditure indicators for Trident Technical College from College Scorecard (not a full IPEDS finance statement).
Instructional Resources
- Full-time faculty share: 46.0%
- Average faculty salary (Scorecard): $6,683
- Instructional expenditure per FTE: $6,261
Endowment and detailed non-instructional staff counts require IPEDS Finance/HR surveys and are not in this extract.
Scorecard instructional metrics where reported.
About
Trident Technical College is a public institution located in Charleston, SC, classified as Associate's Colleges: Mixed Transfer/Vocational & Technical-Mixed Traditional/Nontraditional. In the latest IPEDS completions in our extract, the largest programs by awards were Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies, Pre-Nursing Studies, Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse. Enrollment is approximately 10,512 students. Student body composition includes White (47.0%), Black or African American (31.2%), Hispanic or Latino (10.3%). The 150%-time completion rate is 29.63%. Approximately 28.24% of students receive Pell Grants. About 42.8% of students are first-generation college students.
Institution Type
Public
Carnegie Classification: Associate's Colleges: Mixed Transfer/Vocational & Technical-Mixed Traditional/Nontraditional
Location
Charleston, SC 29423-8067
Region: Southeast
Insights and Analysis
Graduation Rate Considerations: The 29.63% graduation rate at Trident Technical College falls below the national average. Prospective students should carefully consider factors such as academic preparation, support services, and career outcomes when evaluating this institution.
Diverse Program Offerings: With over 75 distinct degree programs, Trident Technical College provides students with a wide range of academic options. This diversity allows students to explore various fields and find programs that align with their interests and career goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Trident Technical College located?
Trident Technical College is located in Charleston, SC.
How much does Trident Technical College cost?
Reported tuition is $4,546 and average net price is $1,406 in the latest College Scorecard data. On-campus room and board is estimated at $9,600 annually.
What is the student body demographics at Trident Technical College?
Trident Technical College reports undergraduate enrollment of about 20,631 students, White (47.0%), Black or African American (31.2%) in federal College Scorecard data.
How many first-generation students attend Trident Technical College?
About 42.8% of students at Trident Technical College are first-generation college students.
What do graduates of Trident Technical College earn?
Median earnings are $33,306 six years after entry and $38,253 ten years after entry.
What is the graduation rate at Trident Technical College?
The 150%-time completion rate is 29.6% for the cohort reported to the College Scorecard.
How much debt do Trident Technical College students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers is $13,029.
Is Trident Technical College public or private?
Trident Technical College is a public institution located in Charleston, SC.
Is Trident Technical College an HBCU?
No. Trident Technical College is not flagged as an HBCU in the IPEDS institutional directory.
Is Trident Technical College a tribal college?
No. Trident Technical College is not flagged as a tribal college in IPEDS.
Is Trident Technical College a Hispanic-serving institution (HSI)?
Using a 25% Hispanic enrollment threshold on College Scorecard demographics, Trident Technical College does not meet that proxy (reported share 10.3%).
Is Trident Technical College religiously affiliated?
No religious affiliation is reported for Trident Technical College in IPEDS institutional characteristics.
Data Sources
This page uses data from the following sources:
- College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
- Institutional characteristics, costs, completion rates, and earnings data
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
- Employment and wage data by occupation
- Latest data: May 2024
- Source: bls.gov/oes
- O*NET Online - U.S. Department of Labor
- Occupational skills, knowledge, abilities, and work activities
- Database version: 28.0 (August 2023)
- Source: onetcenter.org
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) - National Center for Education Statistics
- Institutional data, completions, enrollment, and financial aid
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: nces.ed.gov/ipeds
- Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
- Demographic and workforce data
- Latest data: 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
- Source: census.gov/acs
- Related geography & profiles
- South Carolina college profile
- South Carolina college costs
- South Carolina colleges by ROI
- South Carolina trade schools profile
- Charleston, South Carolina city profile
- Southeast regional profile
- Suburban college profile
- Campus-setting profiles
- All state profiles
- Regional profiles
- National benchmarks
- School directory
- All schools in South Carolina
- South Carolina college costs
- South Carolina colleges by ROI
- South Carolina trade schools profile
- Charleston, South Carolina city profile
- Southeast regional profile
- All state profiles
- Regional profiles
- National benchmarks
- School directory
- All schools in South Carolina
Data Processing: All data has been processed, cleaned, and aggregated for presentation. Where specific data points are unavailable, estimates are based on available data and clearly marked.
Last Updated: Data reflects the most recent available information as of January 2025.
Methodology
Data for this profile is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard dataset, which provides comprehensive information on institutions of higher education in the United States.
All financial figures are adjusted for inflation and represent the most recent available data. Graduation rates and completion times are calculated according to federal standards.