23.4% of Charleston-North Charleston, SC residents possess a Bachelor’s Degree (3.2% above the national average), and 9.5% hold an Associate’s Degree (0.9% above the national average).
Bachelor’s Degree or higher:
- Charleston-North Charleston, SC – 36.5%
- South Carolina – 29.0%
- United States – 32.9%
High School Diploma or higher:
- Charleston-North Charleston, SC – 90.8%
- South Carolina – 88.3%
- United States – 88.5%
Source: American Community Survey, 2016-2020
Education Pipeline
In 2019, there were 8,603 graduates in Charleston-North Charleston, SC. The top five program categories for a total count of completions for 2019 are:
- Health professions and related programs
- Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services
- Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
- Biological and Biomedical Sciences
- Personal and Culinary Services
The top five program categories for percent growth in completions from 2015 to 2019 are:
- Military Technologies and Applied Sciences
- Engineering
- Transportation and Materials Moving
- Philosophies and Religious Studies
- Legal Professions and Studies
Top Five Schools by 2019 Graduates
- College of Charleston – 2637 graduates
- Trident Technical College – 2,073 graduates
- Citadel Military College of South Carolina – 1,043 graduates
- Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) – 1,007 graduates
- Charleston Southern University – 800 graduates
Map of Local Colleges and Universities
Top Programs by Regional Completions
| CIP Code | Description | 2019 Completions |
| 52.0201 | Business Administration and Management, General | 631 |
| 51.3801 | Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse | 530 |
| 24.0101 | Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies | 460 |
| 26.0101 | Biology/Biological Sciences, General | 240 |
| 42.0101 | Psychology, General | 224 |
| 22.0101 | Law | 202 |
| 12.0401 | Cosmetology/Cosmetologist, General | 196 |
| 51.0801 | Medical/Clinical Assistant | 173 |
| 52.0301 | Accounting | 170 |
| 51.1201 | Medicine | 169 |
| 45.1001 | Political Science and Government, General | 161 |
| 09.0101 | Speech Communication and Rhetoric | 151 |
| 51.2207 | Public Health Education and Promotion | 143 |
| 49.0304 | Diver, Professional and Instructor | 141 |
| 43.0103 | Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement Administration | 111 |
| 26.0908 | Exercise Physiology | 110 |
| 49.0205 | Truck and Bus Driver/Commercial Vehicle Operator and Instructor | 103 |
| 52.1401 | Marketing/Marketing Management, General | 102 |
| 12.0409 | Aesthetician/Esthetician and Skin Care Specialist | 100 |
| 11.9999 | Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services, Other | 96 |