Compare costs, program lengths, and outcomes at top-ranked SC nursing assistant schools.
South Carolina’s healthcare employers are on a steady hiring run for certified nursing assistants, with demand strongest in hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and home health services. The occupation’s entry gate is fixed: a 100-hour state-approved training program and a passing score on the NNAAP exam, a credential the state requires before a single shift is worked.
Across the 13 South Carolina schools examined, net prices span from $1,406 to $19,156. That spread forces aspiring CNAs to weigh fast, low-cost options against programs that offer more clinical hours or direct employer pipelines, a calculation that can shape not just your training experience but your first job placement.
South Carolina's technical colleges and private institutions offer a range of CNA programs to meet the growing demand for nursing assistants. This ranking highlights top options based on affordability, graduation rates, and program flexibility. Whether you're in the Upstate, Lowcountry, or Midlands, you'll find a program that fits your schedule and budget.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Spartanburg Community College | Spartanburg, SC | ~$2,000/yr (est.) | Upstate residents needing multiple campus locations | |
Spartanburg Community College’s CNA program is a 110-hour state-approved course that combines classroom learning with clinical experience at local healthcare facilities. Graduates are eligible for the SC Nurse Aide Registry exam, and the program can be stacked into the Patient Care Technician pathway. Training is offered at multiple Upstate campuses including Spartanburg, Duncan, Union, and Cherokee, with day and evening scheduling options. Program-level earnings are not yet reported, but institutional data shows a median graduate debt of $6,500 and a 10-year median earnings of $37,097.
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| #2 | Florence-Darlington Technical College | Florence, SC | $5,000 – $7,000/yr | Pee Dee area career changers | |
Florence-Darlington Technical College offers its CNA program through Corporate & Workforce Development, with no college application required. Students train at the Main Campus or Health Sciences Campus in Florence and become eligible to take the SC Nurse Aide Exam. The program focuses on practical skills for skilled nursing facilities. Program-level earnings data are not available; institutionally, median debt is $12,250 and 10-year median earnings are $32,748.
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| #3 | Trident Technical College | Charleston, SC | $5,000 – $9,000/yr | Lowcountry residents pursuing quick certification | |
Trident Technical College in Charleston provides a 121.25-hour Certified Nurse Aide program priced at $2,000, which includes textbooks and Basic Life Support certification. The curriculum prepares students for the Credentia-administered SC Nurse Aide Exam and offers clinical rotations across the Lowcountry. Program-level earnings are not reported; the college’s overall median debt is $13,029 and 10-year median earnings are $38,253.
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| #4 | Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College | Orangeburg, SC | $5,000 – $8,000/yr | ||
Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College’s 9-credit Nursing Assistant certificate covers anatomy, infection control, and patient communication. Students must achieve 80% competency in core courses and complete clinical rotations at area facilities. The program prepares graduates for the state CNA exam. Institution-wide metrics show a median debt of $10,562 and 10-year earnings of $35,761, but program-specific earnings are unavailable.
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| #5 | York Technical College | Rock Hill, SC | ~$6,000/yr (est.) | ||
York Technical College in Rock Hill runs a 112-hour CNA program approved by SC DHHS, with tuition of $2,095. Eligible South Carolina residents may receive the SC WINS scholarship. The college also offers a 37-credit Nursing Care Certificate that serves as a pathway to LPN or RN degrees. Institutional data show median debt of $7,000 and 10-year median earnings of $37,257; program-level earnings are not reported.
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| #6 | Horry-Georgetown Technical College | Conway, SC | ~$4,000/yr (est.) | ||
Horry-Georgetown Technical College’s 9-credit Nursing Assistant certificate is available at Georgetown and Grand Strand campuses, serving the Myrtle Beach area. The program requires CPR certification and a grade of C or better, emphasizing workforce development with career services support. Graduates are prepared for the SC CNA exam. Institution-wide median debt is $14,250 and 10-year median earnings are $35,507.
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| #7 | Midlands Technical College | West Columbia, SC | $5,000 – $15,000/yr | ||
Midlands Technical College near Columbia offers a 22-credit hybrid CNA certificate estimated at $4,488. The program blends online, classroom, and clinical training and prepares students for the NNAAP exam and SC Nurse Aide Registry. It is stackable into other healthcare certificates. Institutional median debt is $12,000 and 10-year median earnings are $38,701; program-specific earnings data are not available.
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| #8 | Williamsburg Technical College | Kingstree, SC | ~$10,000/yr (est.) | ||
Williamsburg Technical College in Kingstree provides a one-semester, 16-credit Nursing Assistant certificate with a geriatric focus, ideal for rural elder-care roles. Students must earn a C or better and demonstrate 77% competency in core courses. Program-level earnings are unreported; institutionally, median earnings are $29,935, though median debt data is missing.
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| #9 | Tri-County Technical College | Pendleton, SC | $10,000 – $15,000/yr | ||
Tri-County Technical College’s Certified Nurse Aide program is a QuickJob career pathway with day and evening classes at Pendleton and Easley. It provides face-to-face training in patient care and communication skills, targeting the Anderson, Oconee, and Pickens county workforce. The school’s median debt is $9,000 and 10-year median earnings are $40,101, with no program-level earnings data reported.
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| #10 | Denmark Technical College | Denmark, SC | $15,000 – $20,000/yr | ||
Denmark Technical College, an HBCU, offers a 110-hour CNA program with free tuition for qualified applicants. Day and weekend schedules accommodate working adults, and the course serves as a prerequisite for the Patient Care Technician apprenticeship. Institution-level 10-year median earnings are $25,351 and median debt is $15,250; program-specific earnings are not available.
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| #11 | Miller-Motte College-Charleston | Charleston, SC | |||
Miller-Motte College in Charleston offers a 5-week, 120-clock-hour CNA program with rolling starts every five weeks. The campus-based training focuses on patient safety, medical terminology, and ethical responsibilities. Federal institutional data such as net price and graduate earnings are not reported for this school; program-level earnings are similarly unavailable.
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| #12 | Central Carolina Technical College | Sumter, SC | $6,000/yr | ||
Central Carolina Technical College’s hybrid CNA program costs $1,718 and includes CPR certification. The three-month course meets Tuesday and Thursday evenings at the AMTTC Sumter campus, with full tuition scholarships available. Institution-wide median debt is $9,977 and 10-year median earnings are $32,603; program-level earnings data are not yet reported.
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| #13 | Greenville Technical College | Greenville, SC | ~$12,000/yr (est.) | ||
Greenville Technical College offers a Nursing Assistant Training program through its Corporate and Continuing Education division, with 60 hours of interactive learning and 40 hours of clinical experience. The campus-based course prepares students for CNA certification and serves as a stepping stone into healthcare careers. The college reports a median debt of $15,392 and 10-year median earnings of $39,473, though program-specific earnings are not provided.
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Becoming a CNA in South Carolina typically takes 4 to 8 weeks for training, plus time to schedule and pass the exam. The SC Department of Health and Human Services (SC DHHS) oversees certification, and Credentia administers the required NNAAP exam.
The net price shown below is an institution-wide average and may not reflect the actual cost of a short-term CNA certificate program, many CNA courses cost less. Schools like Trident Technical College and Florence-Darlington Technical College combine low net prices with high Pell Grant shares, while Spartanburg Community College and York Technical College stand out for exceptionally low median graduate debt.
| School | In-State Tuition | Out-of-State Tuition | Net Price | Median Graduate Debt | Pell Grant Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trident Technical College | $5,050 | $8,620 | $1,406 | $13,029 | 83.7% |
| Florence-Darlington Technical College | $4,900 | $6,772 | $2,004 | $12,250 | 91.0% |
| Spartanburg Community College | $6,223 | $10,135 | $2,405 | $6,500 | 92.4% |
| Horry-Georgetown Technical College | $6,778 | $10,978 | $4,159 | $14,250 | 79.2% |
| Midlands Technical College | $6,300 | $14,700 | $4,647 | $12,000 | 79.8% |
| Central Carolina Technical College | $6,594 | $9,016 | $5,571 | $9,977 | 91.7% |
| York Technical College | $8,396 | $13,340 | $5,931 | $7,000 | 81.8% |
| Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College | $6,242 | $8,354 | $6,186 | $10,562 | 91.2% |
| Williamsburg Technical College | $4,800 | $8,592 | $9,887 | N/A | N/A |
| Greenville Technical College | $6,143 | $10,775 | $11,713 | $15,392 | 84.2% |
| Tri-County Technical College | $6,224 | $12,007 | $14,670 | $9,000 | 78.8% |
| Denmark Technical College | $6,315 | $11,955 | $19,156 | $15,250 | 93.8% |
Many nursing homes and hospitals in South Carolina offer employer-sponsored CNA training at no cost, often with a one-year work commitment. Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) funding through SC Works centers can also cover tuition for eligible students. Compare these options with paid programs in the cost table above.
CNA training opportunities in South Carolina are concentrated in the state's three largest metro areas, but finding the right class often means knowing which organizations offer free or sponsored programs. Charleston, Columbia, and Greenville each have unique pipelines into nursing assistant careers, from hospital-based training to workforce development grants. Below is a practical guide to locating available classes in each city.
In the Lowcountry, several hospitals actively train and hire CNAs. Start by visiting the career pages of Roper St. Francis Healthcare and the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC). Both systems periodically post employer-sponsored CNA training opportunities that may include paid tuition or a work commitment after certification.
For publicly funded options, the SC Works center serving Charleston coordinates Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) grants that can cover the full cost of CNA training. Their website (scworks.org) allows you to search for approved training providers by zip code. Local providers like Trident Technical College often appear on the WIOA eligible list. Check Trident Tech's Workforce Development or Continuing Education pages for short-term CNA certificate programs that may be eligible for scholarships or state-funded grants. The college frequently runs classes that align with WIOA funding cycles, so inquire about start dates well in advance.
In the Midlands, Prisma Health is a major employer that has previously offered CNA apprenticeship programs at its Columbia-area hospitals. Monitor the careers section of Prisma Health's website for openings labeled "nursing assistant training" or "apprentice." These positions typically combine classroom instruction with paid clinical experience on hospital units.
Midlands Technical College is the region's primary public training provider. Its Corporate and Continuing Education division runs CNA programs that are often WIOA-approved. Prospective students should contact the college's financial aid office to ask about zero-cost certificate options funded by state workforce grants. The local SC Works Midlands office can also verify current WIOA eligibility for specific courses. Additionally, the South Carolina Hospital Association (scha.org) keeps a directory of member hospitals with workforce development programs, which can be a useful cross-check for hospital-sponsored classes in the Columbia area.
The Upstate offers a similar mix of hospital and college-based pathways. Prisma Health's Greenville campus and Bon Secours St. Francis Health System both list CNA training roles when available. Look for "nurse aide training" or "patient care technician" positions that mention certification as part of the job.
Greenville Technical College is the go-to institution for CNA education. Its Continuing Education and Economic Development department often features grant-funded or reduced-cost CNA courses. Like its counterparts, these programs may be tied to WIOA funding, so reaching out to SC Works Upstate is a wise first step. The college's website sometimes highlights "scholarship-eligible" or "no-cost" training under a dedicated workforce tab.
For a broader view of hospital-sponsored programs across all three cities, the South Carolina Hospital Association's online portal can point you to member hospitals with active apprenticeship or training initiatives. Checking these resources together will give you the best chance of securing a CNA class that fits your schedule and budget.
South Carolina CNA training requires 100 total hours: 60 hours of classroom instruction and 40 hours of supervised clinical practice. The South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services allows the classroom part to be completed online, but the clinical hours must be in person at an approved facility. Therefore, fully online programs are not available, but hybrid programs offer online lectures with in-person clinical rotations. The table below compares delivery formats and net prices for select programs.
| Program | Program Type | Classroom Delivery | Clinical Requirement | Net Price (In-State) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Midlands Technical College | Hybrid | Online classroom permitted | 40 hours in-person at approved facility | $4,647 |
| Central Carolina Technical College | Hybrid | Online classroom permitted | 40 hours in-person at approved facility | $5,571 |
| Spartanburg Community College | Campus | In-person classroom only | 40 hours in-person at approved facility | $2,405 |
| Trident Technical College | Campus | In-person classroom only | 40 hours in-person at approved facility | $1,406 |
Becoming a CNA in South Carolina is one of the fastest ways to enter healthcare, but the certification process has fixed training and testing hurdles that demand upfront commitment. Meeting all requirements opens the door to steady work in just a few months.
South Carolina mandates that every aspiring nurse aide complete a state-approved program with at least 100 hours of total training. This breaks down into 60 hours of classroom instruction, 20 hours of hands-on skills lab practice, and 40 hours of supervised clinical training in a real care setting.1 Programs cover core topics like infection control, patient mobility, nutrition, and communication. Before you start, you will need a criminal background check and up-to-date immunizations, so plan those early.
Once your training is finished, you will prove your skills through the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP), administered in South Carolina by Credentia.2 The exam has two parts: a written or oral knowledge test and a clinical skills evaluation. You register by creating a Credentia account and submitting a test application. If you pass both components, you are eligible for the state registry. Candidates have up to 24 months after completing their training to take the exam.1
Applying for the Nurse Aide Registry involves submitting your exam results and any required documentation to the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. Once approved, your name appears on the registry, which employers check before hiring. The state does not issue a paper license; the digital listing is your official credential.
South Carolina requires renewal every 24 months. To stay active, you must have worked at least eight paid hours as a CNA under supervision during that time and submit a renewal application through the Credentia platform.2 If you do not meet the work requirement, your listing expires, and you may have to retake the competency exam.
If you hold an active CNA certification in another state, you can transfer it to South Carolina via reciprocity. The process also goes through Credentia: submit a reciprocity application along with verification of your current registry status.2 Once approved, you are added to the South Carolina Nurse Aide Registry and can start looking for work immediately.
Which South Carolina CNA programs have the highest exam pass rates, and where can you find that information? Many aspiring nursing assistants search for this data before enrolling, hoping to choose a program with a strong track record of preparing students for the state competency exam. The answer isn't a simple ranking, but understanding how pass rates work can still guide your decision.
A program’s exam pass rate reflects how well its curriculum, instructors, and clinical training align with the skills tested on the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP) exam. A consistently high first-attempt pass rate often signals strong instruction and thorough hands-on practice. Conversely, a low or undisclosed rate might raise questions about preparation quality. When you’re investing time and money, this metric helps you pick a program that sets you up for certification success on the first try.
To interpret pass rates meaningfully, it helps to know the exam itself. All South Carolina CNA candidates must pass both the written (or oral) and skills demonstration portions of the NNAAP, administered by Credentia and detailed in the South Carolina NNAAP Candidate Handbook. Training programs are required to deliver at least 100 hours of instruction, including 40 hours of supervised clinical practice.1 After completing an approved program, you can attempt the exam up to three times within two years. If you don’t pass within that window, you must retrain. This strict timeline makes first-time pass rates especially relevant; it measures how ready students are right out of the program.
As of the latest reporting cycle, neither the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SC DHHS) nor Credentia publishes pass rates broken down by individual CNA training program.2 That means you won’t find an official state dashboard ranking schools by exam performance. However, some programs voluntarily share their recent pass rates, either on their website or when you contact admissions directly.
When you reach out, ask for the percentage of students who passed on the first attempt and the total number of test-takers in the most recent cohort. A program with a high rate and a large sample size provides a more reliable picture than one with only a handful of students. Also inquire about any additional exam-prep resources, such as practice tests, remediation sessions, or mock skills demonstrations, that may not be part of the standard curriculum. While pass rates aren’t the only factor, they remain one of the clearest signals you can use to compare programs before you enroll.
The salary for a nursing assistant in South Carolina depends heavily on where you work: coastal hospitals in Charleston, aging-friendly communities in Columbia, or fast-growing Greenville each write different paychecks. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) paints a clear statewide picture for nursing assistants.
In 2023, nursing assistants in South Carolina earned a median annual wage of $38,200, which exceeds the national median for nursing assistants. At the 10th percentile, CNAs earned $30,020 per year, while those in the 90th percentile earned $48,780. This range shows that the highest-paid nursing assistants in the state can approach $49,000 annually, well above entry-level retail or food service wages. For context, a full-time CNA working at the median earns approximately $18.37 per hour based on 2,080 hours per year.
While the BLS does not release metro-level wage estimates for nursing assistants in South Carolina, hospitals and nursing homes in Charleston-North Charleston and Greenville-Anderson tend to offer higher pay to keep pace with a higher cost of living and staff shortages. CNAs in Columbia benefit from a stable job market fueled by the presence of major medical centers and state government facilities. In these communities, experienced nursing assistants often land at or above the statewide 75th percentile of $44,540, while new graduates typically start closer to the 25th percentile of $34,990.
Beyond location, experience, shift differentials, and credential stacking drive earnings upward. CNAs who work evening, overnight, or weekend shifts at hospitals and skilled nursing facilities often receive hourly premiums that can add thousands to annual wages. Even without the exact metro breakout, the state’s 90th percentile of $48,780 signals that top earners in high-demand markets like Charleston can pull in competitive salaries. For those eyeing the highest-paying CNA salary in South Carolina, targeting a hospital system with additional specialty certifications, such as dementia care or restorative aide, can unlock the upper end of the pay band.
Nationally, employment for nursing assistants is projected to grow by 2 percent from 2024 to 20342, a rate slower than the average for all occupations. However, South Carolina’s demographic profile tells a different story. The state has one of the fastest-growing 65-and-older populations in the country, and the demand for direct care in assisted living, home health, and hospice settings remains robust. This means CNA roles will stay vital even if overall growth appears modest, especially as the healthcare system shifts toward community-based care models that rely heavily on nursing assistants.
At this time, the U.S. Department of Education has not released median earnings data for CNA program graduates one year after completion. Once that information becomes available, this section will include a side-by-side comparison of early-career earnings across South Carolina programs, giving you a direct line of sight between the training you choose and your first-year paycheck. For now, the statewide BLS figures offer the most reliable benchmark.
CNA wages in South Carolina generally fall below the national median, but your location within the state matters. Charleston tends to offer the highest pay among major metros, while upstate cities like Greenville come in slightly lower.
South Carolina’s healthcare workforce is increasingly built on a career-ladder model, with employers and educators actively supporting CNAs who want to move into licensed nursing roles. Here is how the path unfolds and what it pays.
Many South Carolina technical colleges offer bridge programs designed for LPNs to earn an ADN, but CNAs can also benefit from accelerated tracks. While a direct CNA-to-LPN bridge is less common, several schools admit CNAs into LPN programs and give preference to those with hands-on patient care hours. For LPNs ready to become RNs, the following South Carolina colleges provide streamlined transitions:
These programs assume you hold a current LPN license; some may accept CNA experience as part of a broader application. Always check with each school for detailed prerequisites.
Advancing your license directly impacts your earnings. Based on the most recent Bureau of Labor Statistics data, South Carolina nursing assistants earn a median annual wage around $29,000. Licensed practical nurses in the state see a substantial jump to a median in the high $40,000s. Registered nurses surpass $70,000 statewide, and nurse practitioners often earn six-figure salaries. Each step more than covers the cost of additional training, often within the first year of higher pay.
The CNA salary breakdown earlier in this article provides city-level details for South Carolina. For more on earnings at the licensed level, the LPN and RN salary guides on topnursing.org outline what you can expect in different settings. The site’s dedicated pages for LPN programs, RN-to-BSN pathways, and NP programs also let you explore next-step education options side by side.
Here are answers to some of the most common questions about becoming and working as a Certified Nursing Assistant in South Carolina.
