Top 3 Database Administration Programs in South Carolina 2025
Trident Technical College
54 database administration graduates annually, N/A% graduation rate
Clemson University
22 database administration graduates annually, 81% graduation rate
University of South Carolina-Columbia
22 database administration graduates annually, 80% graduation rate
- 1.South Carolina offers 20+ accredited database administration programs across public and private universities
- 2.Trident Technical College leads with strong% graduation rate
- 3.South Carolina software developers earn median $95,670 annually (BLS OES 2024)
- 4.Tech opportunities concentrated in Charleston, Columbia, Greenville
- 5.Cost of living index: 95.4% of US average (below average)
Database Administration Education in South Carolina: Overview
South Carolina offers 20 accredited database administration programs, producing approximately 355 graduates annually. The state's tech industry is centered in Charleston, Columbia, Greenville, with major employers including Blackbaud, BenefitFocus, Bosch.
With a median software developer salary of $95,670 (BLS OES May 2024) and a cost of living index of 95.4% compared to the US average, South Carolina offers above-average purchasing power for tech workers.
The top database administration programs in the state are led by Trident Technical College, Clemson University, University of South Carolina-Columbia, each offering distinct advantages in terms of program size, graduation rates, and industry connections.
South Carolina Database Administration Programs Rankings 2025
| Rank | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Trident Technical College | Charleston, SC | Public | $5,024 | — | 64.4 |
| 2 | Clemson University | Clemson, SC | Public | $14,038 | 81% | 62.2 |
| 3 | University of South Carolina-Columbia | Columbia, SC | Public | $12,288 | 80% | 57.4 |
| 4 | Greenville Technical College | Greenville, SC | Public | $5,855 | — | 55.7 |
| 5 | York Technical College | Rock Hill, SC | Public | $4,776 | — | 53.8 |
| 6 | College of Charleston | Charleston, SC | Public | $12,518 | 70% | 52.3 |
| 7 | Piedmont Technical College | Greenwood, SC | Public | $5,430 | — | 52 |
| 8 | Horry-Georgetown Technical College | Conway, SC | Public | $5,208 | — | 50.9 |
| 9 | Tri-County Technical College | Pendleton, SC | Public | $5,816 | — | 50.5 |
| 10 | Technical College of the Lowcountry | Beaufort, SC | Public | $5,736 | — | 49.2 |
| 11 | Midlands Technical College | West Columbia, SC | Public | $5,640 | — | 49.2 |
| 12 | Central Carolina Technical College | Sumter, SC | Public | $6,354 | — | 49.2 |
| 13 | Coastal Carolina University | Conway, SC | Public | $11,460 | 86% | 48.5 |
| 14 | Aiken Technical College | Graniteville, SC | Public | $4,896 | — | 46.7 |
| 15 | Furman University | Greenville, SC | Private | $57,902 | — | 45.5 |
| 16 | Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College | Orangeburg, SC | Public | $5,784 | — | 44.2 |
| 17 | University of South Carolina-Upstate | Spartanburg, SC | Public | $11,208 | — | 43.8 |
| 18 | Strayer University-South Carolina | Greenville, SC | For-Profit | $13,725 | — | 41.7 |
| 19 | Northeastern Technical College | Cheraw, SC | Public | $5,088 | — | 39.1 |
| 20 | Spartanburg Community College | Spartanburg, SC | Public | $6,048 | — | 36.7 |
Top 5 Database Administration Programs in South Carolina: Side-by-Side
| School | Trident Technical College | Clemson | U of South Carolina-Columbia | Greenville Technical College | York Technical College |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #1 | #2 | #3 | #4 | #5 |
| In-State Tuition | $5,024 | $14,038 | $12,288 | $5,855 | $4,776 |
| Graduation Rate | N/A% | 81% | 80% | N/A% | N/A% |
| Annual Graduates | 54 | 22 | 22 | 33 | 27 |
| Acceptance Rate | N/A | 38% | 61% | N/A | N/A |
| Type | Public | Public | Public | Public | Public |
| Score | 64.4/100 | 62.2/100 | 57.4/100 | 55.7/100 | 53.8/100 |
Best Bachelor's Degree Programs in Database Administration in South Carolina
South Carolina offers 7 bachelor's-level database administration programs. The top schools for undergraduate study are Clemson University, University of South Carolina-Columbia, College of Charleston. These programs prepare students for entry-level positions paying approximately $66,969 in the South Carolina market.
A bachelor's in database administration typically requires 120-128 credit hours and takes 4 years to complete. For national rankings, see our Best Database Administration Bachelor's Programs guide.
Top 3 Database Administration Bachelor's Programs in South Carolina
| School | Tuition | Grad Rate | Graduates | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 Clemson | $14,038 | 81% | 22 | 62.2 |
| #2 U of South Carolina-Columbia | $12,288 | 80% | 22 | 57.4 |
| #3 College of Charleston | $12,518 | 70% | 21 | 52.3 |
Top Database Administration Schools for Master's Degrees in South Carolina
For graduate study, South Carolina offers 1 master's-level database administration programs. Leading institutions include Strayer University-South Carolina. A master's degree can boost earning potential by 15-25%, with senior roles in South Carolina reaching $124,371 or more.
Explore our complete national rankings of the best database administration master's programs for more options beyond South Carolina.
Top 3 Database Administration Master's Programs in South Carolina
| School | Tuition | Grad Rate | Graduates | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 Strayer University-South... | $13,725 | N/A% | 3 | 41.7 |
Most Affordable Database Administration Colleges in South Carolina
For budget-conscious students, the most affordable database administration programs in South Carolina are at York Technical College ($4,776/year), Aiken Technical College ($4,896/year), Trident Technical College ($5,024/year). These programs offer strong ROI given South Carolina's competitive tech salaries.
At York Technical College, a 4-year degree costs approximately $19,104 in tuition alone. With entry-level salaries around $66,969, graduates can typically recoup their investment within 0.6 years. See our Most Affordable Database Administration Programs for national comparisons.
Most Affordable Database Administration Programs in South Carolina (with ROI)
| School | Annual Tuition | 4-Year Cost | Payback Period | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 York Technical College | $4,776 | $19,104 | 0.6 years | Public |
| #2 Aiken Technical College | $4,896 | $19,584 | 0.6 years | Public |
| #3 Trident Technical College | $5,024 | $20,096 | 0.6 years | Public |
Detailed Program Spotlights: Inside the Top 5 Database Administration Schools in South Carolina
Below are detailed profiles of the top 5 database administration programs in South Carolina, including admissions requirements, curriculum highlights, career outcomes, and what makes each program unique. Data sourced from official university websites and IPEDS 2023.
Trident Technical College
Charleston, SC • Public
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $5,024 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: N/A% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Database Administration Graduates: 54 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: N/A%
- • Ranking Score: 64.4 / 100
Program Strengths
- N/A% graduation rate
- 54 database administration graduates annually
- Public institution
- Overall score: 64.4 / 100
Why Ranked #1
Ranked #1 based on graduation rate (N/A%), program size (54 graduates), state salary outcomes ($95,670), and selectivity (N/A% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Clemson University
Clemson, SC • Public
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $14,038 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 81% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Database Administration Graduates: 22 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 38%
- • Ranking Score: 62.2 / 100
Program Strengths
- 81% graduation rate
- 22 database administration graduates annually
- Public institution
- Overall score: 62.2 / 100
Why Ranked #2
Ranked #2 based on graduation rate (81%), program size (22 graduates), state salary outcomes ($95,670), and selectivity (38% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
University of South Carolina-Columbia
Columbia, SC • Public
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $12,288 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 80% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Database Administration Graduates: 22 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 61%
- • Ranking Score: 57.4 / 100
Program Strengths
- 80% graduation rate
- 22 database administration graduates annually
- Public institution
- Overall score: 57.4 / 100
Why Ranked #3
Ranked #3 based on graduation rate (80%), program size (22 graduates), state salary outcomes ($95,670), and selectivity (61% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Greenville Technical College
Greenville, SC • Public
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $5,855 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: N/A% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Database Administration Graduates: 33 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: N/A%
- • Ranking Score: 55.7 / 100
Program Strengths
- N/A% graduation rate
- 33 database administration graduates annually
- Public institution
- Overall score: 55.7 / 100
Why Ranked #4
Ranked #4 based on graduation rate (N/A%), program size (33 graduates), state salary outcomes ($95,670), and selectivity (N/A% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
York Technical College
Rock Hill, SC • Public
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $4,776 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: N/A% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Database Administration Graduates: 27 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: N/A%
- • Ranking Score: 53.8 / 100
Program Strengths
- N/A% graduation rate
- 27 database administration graduates annually
- Public institution
- Overall score: 53.8 / 100
Why Ranked #5
Ranked #5 based on graduation rate (N/A%), program size (27 graduates), state salary outcomes ($95,670), and selectivity (N/A% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Career Paths
Software Developer
SOC 15-1252Software Developer opportunities in South Carolina with strong job growth.
Systems Analyst
SOC 15-1211Systems Analyst opportunities in South Carolina with strong job growth.
IT Manager
SOC 15-1299IT Manager opportunities in South Carolina with strong job growth.
Technical Consultant
SOC 15-1299Technical Consultant opportunities in South Carolina with strong job growth.
Database Administrator
SOC 15-1242Database Administrator opportunities in South Carolina with strong job growth.
Database Administration Programs in Other States
California
Texas
New York
Florida
Washington
Massachusetts
Illinois
Georgia
Which Should You Choose?
- You want access to tech jobs in Charleston, Columbia, Greenville
- You're seeking lower cost of living (95.4% of US average)
- You want to work at companies like Blackbaud or BenefitFocus
- You prefer South Carolina's quality of life
- You prioritize highest possible salary (consider CA, WA, NY)
- You want more program options (CA has 100+ vs South Carolina's 20)
- You're looking for major coastal tech hub concentration
Database Administration in South Carolina FAQ
Based on 20 programs from IPEDS 2023, BLS OES May 2024
Database Administration degree completions indicating program size, faculty, and resources (IPEDS 2023)
6-year completion rate from IPEDS 2023
Admission rate from IPEDS 2023 (lower = more selective)
South Carolina-specific salaries from BLS OES May 2024
Related Resources
Data Sources & Methodology
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System - program completions, graduation rates, tuition, admissions
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics - South Carolina salary data
2023-2033 occupational outlook and growth projections
Program-specific admissions, curriculum, and career outcome data
Taylor Rupe
Full-Stack Developer (B.S. Computer Science, B.A. Psychology)
Taylor combines formal training in computer science with a background in human behavior to evaluate complex search, AI, and data-driven topics. His technical review ensures each article reflects current best practices in semantic search, AI systems, and web technology.