Trade Schools in Columbia, SC
5 schools · 11 programs · Avg earnings $31,322/yr
Schools
5
Programs
11
Avg Grad Earnings
$31,322/yr
Avg Score
48/100
Columbia Trade Schools Map
5 trade schools in Columbia, SC.
All Trade Schools in Columbia
5 trade schools ranked by number of programs offered.
| School | Programs | Avg Earnings | Avg Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fortis College-Columbia | 5 | $37,180/yr | 53 |
| Southeastern College-Columbia | 2 | $24,921/yr | 40 |
| South University-Columbia | 2 | $35,443/yr | 46 |
| Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology-Columbia | 1 | $18,956/yr | 43 |
| Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology and Nails-Columbia | 1 | $18,956/yr | 43 |
Top Programs in Columbia
Highest-earning trade programs by first-year graduate earnings in Columbia.
| Program | School | Earnings | Score | AI-Proof |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nursing | Fortis College-Columbia | $69,200/yr | 71 | Moderate |
| Medical Assisting | South University-Columbia | $39,761/yr | 56 | Resilient |
| HVAC Technology | Fortis College-Columbia | $35,785/yr | 48 | AI-Proof |
| Legal Support Services | South University-Columbia | $31,126/yr | 36 | Exposed |
| Health Administration | Fortis College-Columbia | $29,157/yr | 58 | Moderate |
| Medical Assisting | Fortis College-Columbia | $27,198/yr | 50 | Resilient |
| Massage Therapy | Southeastern College-Columbia | $25,459/yr | 36 | Resilient |
| Dental Assisting | Fortis College-Columbia | $24,564/yr | 39 | Resilient |
| Medical Assisting | Southeastern College-Columbia | $24,383/yr | 45 | Resilient |
| Cosmetology | Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology and Nails-Columbia | $18,956/yr | 43 | Resilient |
Programs by Category
Skilled Trades (1 programs)
| Program | School | Score | Earnings | AI-Proof |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HVAC Technology | Fortis College-Columbia | 48 | $35,785/yr | AI-Proof |
Healthcare (7 programs)
| Program | School | Score | Earnings | AI-Proof |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nursing | Fortis College-Columbia | 71 | $69,200/yr | Moderate |
| Health Administration | Fortis College-Columbia | 58 | $29,157/yr | Moderate |
| Medical Assisting | South University-Columbia | 56 | $39,761/yr | Resilient |
| Medical Assisting | Fortis College-Columbia | 50 | $27,198/yr | Resilient |
| Medical Assisting | Southeastern College-Columbia | 45 | $24,383/yr | Resilient |
| Dental Assisting | Fortis College-Columbia | 39 | $24,564/yr | Resilient |
| Massage Therapy | Southeastern College-Columbia | 36 | $25,459/yr | Resilient |
Personal Services (2 programs)
| Program | School | Score | Earnings | AI-Proof |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cosmetology | Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology and Nails-Columbia | 43 | $18,956/yr | Resilient |
| Cosmetology | Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology-Columbia | 43 | $18,956/yr | Resilient |
Other Programs (1 programs)
| Program | School | Score | Earnings | AI-Proof |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Legal Support Services | South University-Columbia | 36 | $31,126/yr | Exposed |
More Trade Schools in South Carolina
View all trade schools in South Carolina or browse all cities with trade schools.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many trade schools are in Columbia?
There are 5 accredited trade and vocational schools in Columbia, SC, offering a total of 11 certificate and associate degree programs.
What are the best trade programs in Columbia?
The highest-earning programs in Columbia include Nursing, Medical Assisting, HVAC Technology, with graduates earning $69,200 or more in their first year after graduation.
Are trade schools in Columbia worth it?
Trade school programs in Columbia average $31,322 in first-year graduate earnings, with many programs offering positive ROI within the first year. Most trade careers also have high AI-proof ratings due to hands-on work requirements.
About This Data
This page analyzes 11 trade and vocational programs at 5 schools in Columbia, SC using earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, employment projections from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2024–2034), and AI resilience research.
School locations shown on the map are based on official institutional addresses. Graduate earnings represent median first-year earnings for certificate and associate degree completers.
Data: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, Bureau of Labor Statistics 2024–2034, OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs research.
Last updated 2026.