Career Training Path › South Carolina › Florence-Darlington Technical College
Florence-Darlington Technical College
Florence, South Carolina · Public technical college · Training programs available:
Address: 2715 W. Lucas Street, Florence, SC 29501 · Phone: (843) 661-8324 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
No accreditor sanctions in the last 36 months
Florence-Darlington Technical College is a public trade school in Florence, South Carolina offering welding, CNC/machining, and HVAC programs, accredited by SACS and program-specific bodies.
Per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, Florence-Darlington Technical College has a 33.7% completion rate, below the state average of 52.0%, with median graduate debt of $12,250 and median earnings of $32,748 ten years after entry.
Annual cost of attendance is not reported in federal data for Florence-Darlington Technical College; contact the school for current tuition. Federal aid (FAFSA/Pell) can be used here, and about 46.9% of students receive Pell Grants.
What these trades pay once you're working
| Occupation | Starting (10th pct) | Median | Experienced (75th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Welders, cutters, solderers and brazers | $38,720 | $49,980 | $58,370 |
| Machinists | $38,270 | $57,970 | $65,290 |
| HVAC and refrigeration mechanics and installers | $39,170 | $56,610 | $62,990 |
| Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses | $50,370 | $61,820 | $71,220 |
| Automotive service technicians and mechanics | $31,200 | $48,100 | $63,610 |
| Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists | $41,440 | $59,330 | $65,690 |
| Hairdressers, hairstylists and cosmetologists | $21,340 | $33,700 | $56,770 |
| Radiologic technologists and technicians | $51,860 | $69,600 | $82,560 |
| Medical assistants | $34,730 | $41,160 | $46,950 |
| Dental hygienists | $65,700 | $84,340 | $94,830 |
| Medical records specialists | $37,240 | $54,280 | $62,650 |
| Dental assistants | $37,070 | $47,320 | $50,780 |
| Surgical technologists | $38,830 | $62,160 | $67,080 |
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wages for everyone employed in the occupation in South Carolina (May 2025; national where the state figure is not published). The program table below shows what this campus's own graduates earned in their first year, whatever job they took.
Trade programs at this campus
| Program | Credential | Grads / yr | Earnings, yr 1 | Earnings, yr 2 | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 50 | $29,689 | $29,926 | $6,000 |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | Certificate, 1–2 years | 29 | $38,650 | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 23 | $29,689 | $29,926 | $6,000 |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Associate degree | 20 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 17 | not reported | $32,382 | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 1–2 years | 17 | $29,689 | $29,926 | $6,000 |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 16 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 15 | $33,482 | $35,952 | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Associate degree | 14 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) | Associate degree | 14 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 12 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions | Associate degree | 11 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | Associate degree | 11 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions | Certificate, 1–2 years | 8 | $37,086 | $30,499 | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 1–2 years | 7 | $29,689 | $29,926 | $6,000 |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 7 | $33,482 | $35,952 | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Associate degree | 6 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Associate degree | 6 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Associate degree | 4 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
Earnings are median wages and self-employment income reported to the IRS (W-2 and Schedule SE) for graduates who received federal aid and were working and not enrolled, measured in the calendar year after finishing. They are pay only: health insurance, retirement contributions and other benefits are not included.
Graduates per year from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey. Earnings and debt are College Scorecard field-of-study medians for graduates of this program at this campus (reported at the 4-digit program level, so closely related programs share a figure); "not reported" means too few graduates were counted to publish a figure.
About this school
Florence-Darlington Technical College is a public trade and career-training campus located in Florence, South Carolina. The college participates in federal Title IV financial aid, meaning students may use FAFSA-based aid, including Pell Grants, to help pay for programs. It holds accreditation from several bodies depending on program, including the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation, the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology, and the National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts and Sciences. Its most-awarded trade programs are welding, CNC and machining, and HVAC, alongside offerings in automotive, diesel, cosmetology, medical assisting, dental hygiene, medical billing and coding, and surgical technology.
Federal data shows a completion rate of 33.7%, below the state average of 52.0% for comparable programs. Graduates who took out loans carried a median debt of $12,250, and median earnings ten years after entry were $32,748. Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data. About 46.9% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating a substantial share of the student body qualifies for need-based aid.
With 19 program families and 287 trade completers out of roughly 3,055 undergraduates, this fringe rural campus offers a range of shorter career-training options alongside longer technical programs. Whether it fits an adult career-changer depends on program length and schedule, which are not detailed here — prospective students should contact the school directly. To verify accreditation status and outcomes independently, check the listed accreditors and the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
Florence-Darlington Technical College offers 19 program families, most notably welding, CNC & machining, and HVAC, along with automotive, diesel, cosmetology, medical assisting, dental hygiene, medical billing and coding, and surgical technology programs.
Is this school accredited, and by whom?
Yes, it is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools along with several program-specific accreditors including the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation, the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology, and the National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts and Sciences.
Can I use federal financial aid (FAFSA, Pell Grants) at this school?
Yes, this campus participates in Title IV federal financial aid programs, so students can use FAFSA-based aid including Pell Grants.
What share of students finish their program here, and how does that compare to the state?
The completion rate is 33.7%, which is below the South Carolina state average of 52.0%, per federal data.
How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?
Graduates carry a median debt of $12,250, according to federal data.
What do graduates of this school earn?
Median earnings ten years after entry are $32,748, per federal data.
How much does it cost to attend for a year?
Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school directly for current tuition figures.
Is this a public, non-profit, or for-profit school, and why does that matter?
This is a public institution, which typically means lower tuition for state residents and eligibility for state-level funding, though specific tuition figures are not reported here.
How long do the programs here take to complete?
Program lengths are not reported in the data provided; contact the school at (843) 661-8324 or visit its website for specific program schedules.
How do I verify this school's accreditation and outcomes myself?
You can review accreditation details through the listed accrediting bodies and check outcomes on the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?218025.
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
This is not specified in the data; program length and schedule details, which would indicate fit for adult career-changers, are not reported here, so contacting the school is recommended.
What license or certification will I need after finishing a program here?
Licensing and certification requirements are not reported in this data; check with the school or relevant state licensing board for specifics tied to each program.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can reach Florence-Darlington Technical College at (843) 661-8324 or through its website at https://www.fdtc.edu/.
How does this campus compare with other schools offering the same trade nearby?
Comparative data on nearby schools is not included here; use the College Scorecard link to compare completion rates, debt, and earnings across institutions.
Nearby trade and career schools in South Carolina
- Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology-FlorenceFlorence, SC · 80% completion
- Horry-Georgetown Technical CollegeConway, SC · 38% completion
- Miller-Motte College-ConwayConway, SC · career college
- Northeastern Technical CollegeCheraw, SC · 21% completion
- Williamsburg Technical CollegeKingstree, SC · 15% completion
- Strand College of Hair DesignMyrtle Beach, SC · 75% completion
- Academy for Careers and TechnologyMullins, SC · 57% completion
- Personal Touch Beauty and Barber CollegeKingstree, SC · 100% completion
See all trade and career schools in South Carolina or search by ZIP code.
Data: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey; College Scorecard June 2026; Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP), September 2026. Figures are the U.S. Department of Education's official measures, not Career Training Path's opinion. Tuition, schedules and program availability change — confirm with the school before enrolling.