Technical College of the Lowcountry Nursing: Programs, NCLEX & Requirements (2026)
Serving Beaufort, Colleton, Hampton, and Jasper counties from coastal campuses, Technical College of the Lowcountry (TCL) runs ACEN-accredited pre-licensure Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) and Practical Nursing diploma tracks. This guide uses TCL’s 2025–2026 Student Handbook tuition table, catalog credit totals, testing-center TEAS VII notes, and South Carolina LLR/CHE-linked NCLEX summaries—with a clear path to the Board’s PDFs for exact ADN figures.
Contents
Quick Facts
Key Takeaway
TCL anchors nursing education in the Lowcountry’s multi-campus network (Beaufort Mather, New River/Bluffton, Hampton, Culinary Institute site) and publishes a transparent three-tier tuition schedule that rewards residency inside its four-county service area. Pair that with TEAS VII requirements and Board-published NCLEX tables to budget both dollars and licensure risk before you commit to a cohort.
Overview & Why Students Choose Technical College of the Lowcountry
Technical College of the Lowcountry is a public two-year institution in the South Carolina Technical College System, with flagship health-science instruction anchored at the Beaufort Mather campus and additional sites in Bluffton, Varnville (Hampton County), and the Culinary Institute of the South. The catalog states that nursing programs may use clinical affiliates across the service region and that students need reliable transportation for rotating sites.
The South Carolina Commission on Higher Education, in a February 2025 release summarizing South Carolina LLR data for 2024, listed Technical College of the Lowcountry among programs that recorded a reported 100 percent first-time pass rate on the NCLEX‑PN. Confirm the exact tester count and future years in the Board’s official NCLEX‑PN pass-rate PDF and with TCL. For NCLEX‑RN (ADN), use the LLR NCLEX‑RN ADN table—this page does not substitute numerators/denominators without citing that primary file.
Reasons students choose Technical College of the Lowcountry
Coastal Lowcountry clinical access
Students train within a corridor that stretches from Beaufort and Hilton Head toward Savannah and Charleston referral networks, exposing learners to community hospitals, ambulatory networks, and seasonal population swings common to coastal markets.
ACEN-accredited ADN and PN
Both the Associate Degree Nursing and Practical Nursing programs appear on TCL’s ACEN listing as Accredited, and the catalog ties nursing to approval by the South Carolina Board of Nursing.
Service-area tuition clarity
The 2025–2026 Student Handbook spells out $222, $247, and $462 per-semester-hour tiers so residents of Beaufort, Colleton, Hampton, and Jasper counties can estimate bills before fees.
Documented testing pathway
The handbook’s Testing Center notes include ATI TEAS VII for nursing alongside placement exams—useful for applicants sequencing Achieve/TEAS deadlines.
Stackable credentials
Graduates who pass NCLEX‑PN can work while deciding whether to ladder into an ADN; ADN graduates seeking a BSN typically continue with a university partner after NCLEX‑RN—plan transfer early with TCL advisors.
Nursing Programs Offered
TCL does not award a BSN on campus. Listings below follow the 2025–2026 Technical College of the Lowcountry Catalog/Student Handbook program pages for Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) and Practical Nursing. Always download the current selective-admissions packet from TCL Health Sciences — ADN or the Practical Nursing pathway pages before you map prerequisites.
Pre-licensure — Associate Degree Nursing (ADN)
Associate in Applied Science — Nursing (ADN)
The catalog lists 68 semester credits covering general education, nursing majors, and sciences (for example Anatomy & Physiology, Microbiology, pharmacology, mental health, and multi-semester nursing practice courses). The sample curriculum shows pre-nursing semesters, Achieve & TEAS checkpoints, then sequenced nursing coursework for NCLEX‑RN eligibility.
Pre-licensure — Practical Nursing
Diploma in Applied Science — Practical Nursing
The catalog lists 42 semester credits combining general education, foundational nursing courses shared early with the ADN track, and practical-nursing capstone/issue courses that prepare students for NCLEX‑PN.
Selective programs adjust prerequisites, point sheets, health requirements, and TEAS rules frequently. Treat the live TCL catalog, Tuition & Fees, and nursing pathway PDFs as the final authority. This page does not list an LPN-to-ADN bridge because the published catalog excerpts used here only describe stand-alone ADN and PN credentials.
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
NCLEX‑RN (ADN): The authoritative first-time pass rate appears in the South Carolina Board of Nursing NCLEX-RN ADN publication linked from LLR—open the PDF and locate the row labeled Technical College of the Lowcountry for the reporting year you need. A February 2025 article from the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education summarized 2024 statewide performance and named several associate programs with very high RN pass rates; TCL was not listed among those specific RN call-outs, which is why this guide points you to the Board’s primary table instead of inferring a percentage here.
Statewide context from that CHE article (useful background only): South Carolina’s reported first-time NCLEX‑RN pass rate for 2024 was 94.7% across 2,964 exams, compared with a cited 91.2% national average. Individual programs can differ sharply from the statewide trend.
NCLEX-PN pass rate (Practical Nursing)
According to the same SC CHE release summarizing LLR data for 2024, Technical College of the Lowcountry was listed among institutions whose graduates achieved a reported 100 percent first-time pass rate on the NCLEX‑PN. CHE directs readers to the LLR statistics hub for full institutional tables—use the NCLEX‑PN PDF for cohort sizes and historical comparisons.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX‑PN first-time pass rate (2024, state summary) | Reported 100% for Technical College of the Lowcountry per SC CHE (Feb. 2025) summarizing LLR-reported 2024 NCLEX data. Confirm numerator/denominator in the official LLR NCLEX‑PN PDF. |
| NCLEX‑RN ADN first-time pass rate (latest published) | Look up TCL’s program row in the NCLEX‑RN ADN pass-rate publication (LLR PDF). Not publicly disclosed on this page as a single sourced percentage without that table excerpt. |
| Source | SC Commission on Higher Education — NCLEX Pass Rates News (Feb. 2025) · South Carolina Board of Nursing — NCLEX statistics · NCLEX‑PN PDF (LLR). Confirm current rates with TCL and the Board. |
NCLEX outcomes change by cohort and reporting cycle. Always confirm the latest row for Technical College of the Lowcountry in the LLR publications and any TCL consumer information disclosures before you budget time and tuition around a licensure goal.
International Students & Internationally Educated Nurses
Requirements for international applicants and internationally educated nurses change often and interact with F-1 status, clinical contracts, and Board of Nursing rules. The TCL student handbook directs new international students to contact the Admissions Office at 843-525-8207. Use the checklist below as a planning tool—not legal advice.
- English-language proficiency: TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo, or other minimums TCL’s admissions team sets for competitive health programs.
- Transcript / credential evaluation: Course-by-course evaluations (for example WES) if you completed prerequisites abroad.
- South Carolina Board of Nursing: NCLEX eligibility, CGFNS requirements, and any extra documentation for foreign-educated nurses.
- Visas & clinical clearance: Whether selective nursing cohorts accept international students and how CPT/OPT rules intersect with clinical agencies.
Confirm every item with TCL Admissions, the International Student designee, and the South Carolina Board of Nursing before you pay seat deposits.
Admissions: A Realistic Look
You must be generally admitted to TCL, but nursing is selective: the ADN catalog sample pathway shows pre-nursing coursework, checkpoints for Achieve & TEAS, then a formal nursing sequence. Plan for science prerequisites (for example BIO 210/211, BIO 225, MAT 120, PSY courses), competitive metrics, criminal-background requirements, drug screening, immunizations, and clinical agency contracts similar to other South Carolina technical colleges.
Application timeline
| Entry Term | Deadline | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| ADN (fall or spring entry) | Not publicly disclosed in this guide | Use the Health Sciences / ADN admissions packet on tcl.edu; catalog illustrates both fall- and spring-start course flows. |
| Practical Nursing diploma | Not publicly disclosed in this guide | Follow the Practical Nursing pathway page and download the selective-admissions checklist for the admit term you want. |
Admissions snapshot
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Acceptance rate (nursing) | Not publicly disclosed |
| Typical GPA range | Not publicly disclosed—confirm whether TCL publishes a minimum competitive GPA or points sheet for the cycle you are targeting. |
| TEAS | The Student Handbook Testing Center section lists ATI TEAS VII as the nursing entrance exam (phone 843-470-8400). Fee schedules and retake policies should be confirmed with the Testing Center each year. |
| Background check & drug screen | Expect criminal background review and drug screening tied to clinical affiliates—budget time and funds before you accept a seat. |
| Immunizations & health clearance | Clinical agencies require up-to-date immunizations, TB screening, and often healthcare-provider CPR—mirror the official health form package. |
Tuition & Cost of Attendance
Tuition at TCL is expressed per semester hour in the 2025–2026 Catalog Student Handbook — Part 3: Tuition and Fees. The same section lists stacked general course fees, technology fee, student fee, registration fee, and a Nursing Testing Fees/Materials charge—factor each line item before you compare TCL to another college.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Tuition per semester hour (2025–2026 handbook) | TCL service-area counties (Beaufort, Colleton, Hampton, Jasper): $222 | Other South Carolina residents outside the service area (“Non-Service”): $247 | Out-of-state & international: $462. |
| Legacy example in same handbook (not current pricing) | An “Average Total Costs” snippet in the handbook still shows a 2022 Fall illustration ($2,568 tuition for 12 credits + $170 fees ≈ $2,738). Use the $222 / $247 / $462 tier lines above for 2025–2026 planning, not the 2022 dollar amounts. |
| Common fees (same handbook section) | General Course Fee $15/credit; Tech Course Fee $20/credit; Technology Fee $50/semester; Student Fee $100/semester; Registration Fee $50/semester; Nursing Testing Fees/Materials $685 (program-specific line). |
| Program length (credits) | ADN: 68 semester credits | PN diploma: 42 semester credits—multiply credits by your tuition tier, then add fees, books, uniforms, and transportation. |
| Source | TCL Student Handbook — Part 3 (Catalog) · Tuition & Fees (tcl.edu) · Cost of Attendance. Confirm current figures with the TCL Business Office. |
Student Outcomes & Career Prospects
New ADN and PN graduates in the Lowcountry frequently step into staff roles at community hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, home health, and clinics serving both year-round residents and seasonal coastal populations. Pair TCL’s disclosures (if posted) with employer signing bonuses, shift differentials, and tuition-repayment offers when you evaluate job letters.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX‑PN (2024, state-summarized data) | Reported 100% first-time pass rate listed for TCL in the SC CHE February 2025 article summarizing LLR 2024 data—confirm cohort counts via the LLR NCLEX‑PN PDF. |
| NCLEX‑RN (ADN) | Confirm TCL’s most recent first-time percentage in the LLR NCLEX‑RN ADN publication; not reiterated numerically here without that primary table. |
| Employment or job placement | Not publicly disclosed here—check TCL health sciences outcomes or consumer information pages for any school-reported placement figures. |
| Source | SC CHE NCLEX news (2025) · SC Board of Nursing statistics |
Is Technical College of the Lowcountry the Right Fit for You?
TCL fits students who want a public, ACEN-accredited ADN or PN credential while living in (or willing to commute to) the Lowcountry, including the Beaufort–Bluffton–Hilton Head corridor and nearby rural counties.
✓ Good fit for students who—
- Reside in Beaufort, Colleton, Hampton, or Jasper counties and can take advantage of the lower service-area tuition rate.
- Prefer a two-year college with multiple local campuses and are comfortable commuting to skills labs and regional clinical sites.
- Want a PN diploma first or a direct ADN pathway without assuming a four-year degree on day one.
✗ May not be ideal for students who—
- Need a BSN completion on the same campus—plan for transfer or online RN-to-BSN after licensure.
- Cannot meet selective admissions, Achieve, or TEAS expectations spelled out in TCL materials.
- Lack reliable transportation for clinical rotations that may span the multi-county district.
Local Healthcare Ecosystem
The Lowcountry mixes coastal resort demand, military medicine tied to installations such as MCAS Beaufort and MCRD Parris Island (where TCL operates education centers per its catalog introduction), and rural health access issues further inland. Employers range from community hospitals and medical groups to long-term care, home health, and public-health initiatives.
| Facility / system | Details |
|---|---|
| Beaufort Memorial Hospital | County-aligned acute-care provider in Beaufort; common anchor employer for Lowcountry clinicians (not a guaranteed student placement). |
| Coastal Carolina regional networks | Services extend toward Hilton Head Island and Savannah, creating mixed inpatient, ambulatory, and seasonal-care demand. |
| Charleston referral hub | MUSC Health and other Charleston systems draw complex cases from the broader region—useful context for career mobility after licensure. |
Exact clinical contracts rotate; obtain the official affiliate list for your admit term from TCL nursing leadership rather than relying on employer names alone.
Student Experience & Campus Life
TCL emphasizes a multi-campus commuter experience: nursing students typically attend theory and skills sessions on the Beaufort Mather or New River sites before traveling to clinical partners. Student life revolves around TRIO, MAVRC veteran resources, Wellness Center counseling, and library support noted in the student handbook—not traditional residence halls.
Resources & Next Steps
Contact & location
- Primary address (nursing)
- 921 Ribaut Road, PO Box 1288, Beaufort, SC 29901, US (per ACEN program directory)
- Admissions telephone
- (843) 525-8207 (handbook — international admissions reference)
- Testing Center
- (843) 470-8400 (TEAS VII and other exams per handbook)
- Nursing program office (ACEN listing)
- (843) 470-5966
- Website
- tcl.edu
Official links
Your “Next 7 Days” checklist
- Download the current selective admissions packet for your pathway from tcl.edu Health Sciences pages.
- Recalculate tuition with the Student Handbook Part 3 tier that matches your county residency.
- Call the Testing Center at 843-470-8400 to schedule TEAS VII after you review Achieve checkpoints.
- Meet with a TCL advisor to verify prerequisite sequencing (BIO, ENG, MAT, PSY, PHI) against the catalog sample pathways.
- Budget the handbook’s Nursing Testing Fees/Materials line plus uniforms, immunizations, and background screening.
- Bookmark the LLR NCLEX statistics hub for both ADN and PN PDFs.
- Introduce yourself to Financial Aid (financialaid@tcl.edu per handbook) to discuss Lottery Tuition Assistance and federal aid using school code 009910.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Technical College of the Lowcountry offer a BSN on campus?
No. TCL’s catalog describes pre-licensure ADN and Practical Nursing diploma credentials. Students who need a BSN typically complete RN licensure first, then enroll in an RN-to-BSN program with a partner university—confirm articulation with TCL advisors.
What is Technical College of the Lowcountry’s NCLEX‑PN pass rate for 2024?
The South Carolina Commission on Higher Education’s February 2025 release summarizing LLR data lists TCL among programs with a reported 100 percent first-time NCLEX‑PN pass rate for 2024. Confirm cohort counts in the LLR NCLEX‑PN PDF and newer years directly with the Board.
How do I look up Technical College of the Lowcountry’s ADN NCLEX‑RN pass rate?
Use the NCLEX‑RN ADN publication linked from the South Carolina Board of Nursing statistics page and locate TCL’s row for the reporting year you need. A CHE summary article may highlight standout schools but does not replace the Board table.
How much is TCL tuition per credit for Beaufort County residents?
The 2025–2026 Student Handbook lists $222 per semester hour for residents of the TCL service area (Beaufort, Colleton, Hampton, Jasper counties). Other South Carolina residents outside that footprint pay $247, and out-of-state/international students pay $462, before mandatory fees.
Does Technical College of the Lowcountry require TEAS?
The student handbook Testing Center section specifies ATI TEAS VII as the nursing entrance exam and provides the Testing Center phone 843-470-8400. Cut scores and eligibility windows belong to the nursing program—download the current selective-admissions packet.
Where are Technical College of the Lowcountry nursing classes held?
TCL operates multiple campuses (Beaufort Mather, New River/Bluffton, Hampton, Culinary Institute of the South in Bluffton) and lists MCAS Beaufort and MCRD Parris Island outreach in its catalog welcome message. Nursing theory and labs may not all occur on one site—confirm campus assignments when you accept a seat.
Is Technical College of the Lowcountry nursing accredited?
The TCL catalog ties nursing to ACEN and the South Carolina Board of Nursing. ACEN’s public site shows Accredited status for TCL Associate and Practical programs as of its last update. Re-verify before enrollment.
What fees should nursing students expect beyond tuition at TCL?
The handbook lists per-credit general and tech course fees, per-semester technology and student fees, a registration fee, and a Nursing Testing Fees/Materials charge. Add books, uniforms, immunizations, and clinical compliance costs separately.
Who can internationally educated nurses contact at Technical College of the Lowcountry?
The handbook directs international students to call Admissions at 843-525-8207. Internationally educated nurses must also satisfy South Carolina Board of Nursing credential evaluation rules before NCLEX eligibility.
References
- Technical College of the Lowcountry — ADN pathwaytcl.edu
- Technical College of the Lowcountry — Practical Nursing diplomatcl.edu
- TCL Catalog — Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) programcatalog.tcl.edu
- TCL Catalog — Practical Nursing (PN) programcatalog.tcl.edu
- TCL Student Handbook — Part 3 Tuition and Fees (2025–2026)catalog.tcl.edu
- Technical College of the Lowcountry — Tuition & Feestcl.edu
- ACEN — TCL Associate programacenursing.org
- ACEN — TCL Practical Nursing programacenursing.org
- South Carolina Commission on Higher Education — NCLEX news (Feb. 2025)che.sc.gov
- South Carolina Board of Nursing (LLR) — NCLEX statisticsllr.sc.gov
- South Carolina LLR — NCLEX-RN ADN pass rates (PDF)llr.sc.gov (PDF)
- South Carolina LLR — NCLEX-PN pass rates (PDF)llr.sc.gov (PDF)
- National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN)ncsbn.org
Editorial Standards & Review
About the author: Francesco Di Siena, RN, writes evidence-based nursing education guides for NurseOnShift.
Review: This page was reviewed by Araceli Collado, RN, for alignment with the TCL 2025–2026 Student Handbook (tuition/fees), TCL catalog nursing program pages, ACEN directory entries, SC CHE’s February 2025 NCLEX summary, and LLR Board of Nursing statistics links.
Disclaimer: This page is for general reference only. It does not constitute professional, admissions, or financial advice. Requirements, deadlines, tuition, and policies change; always verify with the institution and the South Carolina Board of Nursing.
Published: 2026-03-31 · Last reviewed: March 31, 2026 · Medical Review Process · Editorial Policy