2023 Best Online Community Colleges in South Carolina

Spartanburg Community College (SCCS) is a public institution headquartered in its namesake town in Northwest South Carolina. Their online learning department features a flexible associate degree and certificate program. SCCS offers an Associate of Arts, which is designed to meet the freshman and sophomore requirements of a bachelor's degree. This is also known as a university transfer degree. The single online certificate is the Accounting Specialist Certificate, which includes practical experience in technology applications and software. SCCS is a member of the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement, which means that most out-of-state students are eligible to attend its programs. All coursework is completed through the LMS Brightspace. Online students may complete remote orientation and take advantage of online support services, such as 24/7 online tutoring.

Tri-County Technical College (TCTC) is a public community college located in Pendleton, SC. TCTC offers 28 fully online programs in a variety of subjects — including early childhood development, criminal justice, and office administration. Some programs include transfer agreements that allow students to more easily use their associate degrees to pursue a bachelor's program at a four-year university. Others, like the Cisco Certified Networking Associate Certificate, can help students more quickly seek employment. There are also programs that include dual-enrollment and early-credit opportunities for high school students, such as an Associate of Applied Science in Computer Technology. Blackboard is the main learning management system (LMS) used by online students, along with SCTechConnect. To better support their education efforts, students receive academic advising and success coaches.

Piedmont Technical College (PTC) is a public institution situated in Greenwood, SC. PTC's offerings include 150 individual courses, seven complete programs, and additional hybrid courses that require occasional campus visits. For the 100% online degree programs, PTC features six associate degrees and one certificate. There are two general degrees in an Associate in Science and Associate in Arts (transfer degrees); three Associate of Applied Science in Administrative Office degrees; and an Associate of Applied Science in Business Administration. The lone certificate comes in the field of administrative office technology. Remote students use Brightspace to access their online coursework. Students receive online advising and online learning resources.

Horry-Georgetown Technical College (HGTC) is a public college located in Conway, SC. HGTC offers fully online and hybrid programs that are flexible to meet the needs of working students. There are 16 online programs and classes to choose from, two of which are delivered in a hybrid format with on-campus requirements. Examples of 100% online programs include an Associate of Applied Science in Teacher Education, an Associate of Applied Science in Human Services, and a Basic Business Certificate. As a member of the SC Technical College System, these online programs have transfer agreements with a number of universities around the state, including Clemson University and South Carolina State University.

Students from 49 states are eligible to enroll at HGTC. Online students use Brightspace, a software that supports remote coursework, to complete their degrees. Once enrolled, there are a number of services available to students, such as self-help, crisis, and mental health counseling; enrollment and academic advising; and resume builders, career workshops, and job boards.

Trident Technical College is a public, two-year institution that offers a handful of fully online degree options. These include four associate degrees in business technology, criminal justice, homeland security, and hospitality and tourism management. Students who plan to complete much of their general education courses at a two-year school before enrolling in a bachelor's program at a four-year school may also be interested in the associate degree transfer program.

At Trident, online students complete their courses through the Brightspace learning platform. Two-thirds of Trident students attend school part time.

The Technical College of the Lowcountry, which is a two-year, public institution, offers 10 online associate degrees, certificates, and diplomas. Examples include associate degrees in administrative office technology, computer technology, and criminal justice. Some of the certificate programs include medical office assistant and criminal justice.

Online students at this school view lectures and readings, submit assignments, and participate in class discussions through the Blackboard learning platform. Three-quarters of enrollees study part time.