Career Training Path › South Carolina › Trident Technical College
Trident Technical College
Charleston, South Carolina · Public technical college · Training programs available:
Address: 7000 Rivers Avenue, Charleston, SC 29423 · Phone: (843) 574-6111 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
No accreditor sanctions in the last 36 months
Trident Technical College is a public trade and career school in Charleston, SC, offering culinary arts, CDL training, and medical assistant programs, accredited by SACS.
Trident Technical College has a 29.6% completion rate, below the South Carolina average of 52.0%, per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Median graduate debt is $13,029 and median earnings 10 years after entry are $38,253.
Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school for current tuition. Federal financial aid, including Pell Grants, can be used, with 28.2% of students receiving Pell.
What these trades pay once you're working
| Occupation | Starting (10th pct) | Median | Experienced (75th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chefs and head cooks | $47,640 | $71,860 | $79,050 |
| Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers | $39,330 | $51,130 | $62,660 |
| Medical assistants | $34,730 | $41,160 | $46,950 |
| Hairdressers, hairstylists and cosmetologists | $21,340 | $33,700 | $56,770 |
| Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses | $50,370 | $61,820 | $71,220 |
| HVAC and refrigeration mechanics and installers | $39,170 | $56,610 | $62,990 |
| Aircraft mechanics and service technicians | $45,230 | $75,160 | $81,980 |
| Automotive service technicians and mechanics | $31,200 | $48,100 | $63,610 |
| Dental hygienists | $65,700 | $84,340 | $94,830 |
| Radiologic technologists and technicians | $51,860 | $69,600 | $82,560 |
| Electrical power-line installers and repairers | $48,890 | $76,870 | $95,430 |
| Medical records specialists | $37,240 | $54,280 | $62,650 |
| Machinists | $38,270 | $57,970 | $65,290 |
| Construction laborers | $31,200 | $42,940 | $49,120 |
| Welders, cutters, solderers and brazers | $38,720 | $49,980 | $58,370 |
| Emergency medical technicians | $31,590 | $40,370 | $46,660 |
| Dental assistants | $37,070 | $47,320 | $50,780 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 58 | not reported | not reported | $11,666 |
| Ground Transportation | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 52 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 29 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | Certificate, 1–2 years | 28 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 26 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Associate degree | 25 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 22 | not reported | $42,682 | not reported |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 20 | not reported | not reported | $11,666 |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions | Associate degree | 20 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Associate degree | 19 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Electrical and Power Transmission Installers | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 17 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 16 | not reported | $42,682 | not reported |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | Associate degree | 15 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Associate degree | 14 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Associate degree | 13 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 13 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Associate degree | 12 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 12 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions | Certificate, 1–2 years | 11 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 9 | not reported | $42,682 | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 8 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 8 | not reported | not reported | $11,666 |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 7 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 7 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 7 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Associate degree | 4 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 2 | not reported | not reported | $11,666 |
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
Trident Technical College is a public trade and career-training campus in Charleston, South Carolina. The college participates in federal financial aid programs (Title IV), so students may use FAFSA-based aid, including Pell Grants, to help cover costs. It holds accreditation through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, along with program-specific accreditors including the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation, the American Occupational Therapy Association, the American Physical Therapy Association's Commission on Accreditation, and the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology. Its most-awarded programs are culinary and pastry arts, CDL/truck driving training, and medical assistant programs, among 27 total program offerings across families such as welding, HVAC, cosmetology, and dental hygiene.
Federal data shows a completion rate of 29.6%, below the state average of 52.0%. Graduates carry a median debt of $13,029, and median earnings 10 years after entry are $38,253. About 28.2% of students receive Pell Grants. Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data.
This campus suits students pursuing shorter, hands-on career-training programs as well as those seeking accredited allied-health credentials, though specific program lengths and adult-learner fit are not detailed in the available data. Prospective students should verify current accreditation status and outcome data directly through the College Scorecard and by contacting the school.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
Trident Technical College offers 27 program families, most notably culinary and pastry arts, CDL/truck driving, and medical assistant programs, along with welding, HVAC, cosmetology, dental hygiene, and radiology technology.
Is this school accredited, and by whom?
Yes, it is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, along with program-specific accreditors including the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing and the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation, among others.
Can I use federal financial aid (FAFSA, Pell Grants) at this school?
Yes, this school participates in Title IV federal financial aid programs, so students may use FAFSA and Pell Grants.
What share of students finish their program here, and how does that compare to the state?
The completion rate is 29.6%, 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 $13,029, per federal data.
What do graduates of this school earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entry are $38,253, 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 often means lower tuition for state residents and eligibility for state-funded aid programs, though specific tuition figures are not reported here.
How long do the programs here take to complete?
Program lengths are not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school or visit its website for specific program schedules.
How do I verify this school's accreditation and outcomes myself?
You can review official outcome data on the College Scorecard at the link provided, and confirm accreditation status through the listed accrediting bodies.
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
Program length and scheduling details needed to assess adult-learner fit are not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school to ask about flexible or accelerated options.
What license or certification will I need after finishing a program here?
Licensing requirements vary by program and are not detailed in this data; contact the school directly to ask about certification or licensure tied to specific programs like dental hygiene or radiologic technology.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can reach Trident Technical College at (843) 574-6111 or visit https://www.tridenttech.edu/ for application details.
How does this campus compare with other schools offering the same trade nearby?
Comparative data for nearby schools is not included here; check the College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?218894 to compare outcomes across institutions.
Other trade and career schools in Charleston, SC
- Miller-Motte College-CharlestonCharleston, SC · career college
- Charleston Cosmetology InstituteCharleston, SC · 55% completion
- Vski Cosmetology SchoolCharleston, SC · 80% completion
- Top of the Line Barber CollegeCharleston, SC · 23% completion
- Paul Mitchell the School-CharlestonNorth Charleston, SC · 75% completion
- Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology-Goose CreekGoose Creek, SC · 84% completion
- Southeastern College-CharlestonNorth Charleston, SC · 67% completion
- Technical College of The LowcountryWalterboro, SC
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.