USC Aiken is a comprehensive liberal arts college offering 35 degree programs, including three master's programs, in the arts and sciences and in the professional fields of business, education and nursing. The school is situated on a 453-acre campus and has a about 3,200 students. "U.S. News & World Report" named USC Aiken the best public regional college in the South for 2011, the 13th consecutive year that the school ranked in the top three in that category.
Aiken Technical College, one of 16 schools in the South Carolina Technical College System, enrolls more than 3,400 students in its credit courses annually and reaches 10,000 more with its noncredit offerings. ATC offers programs in health, public service, business, industrial engineering and computer technology. Its campus is located on the outskirts of Aiken, in Graniteville.
Lacy Schools of Cosmetology operates three South Carolina vocational schools offering a 1,500-hour cosmetology program as well as courses in esthetics and nail technician training. Students at the three locations --- in Aiken, Lexington and Goose Creek --- prepare to take a licensing exam required by the State Board of Cosmetology. Students can attend day or night classes on a full-time or part-time basis. Federal aid is available to those who qualify.
There are 11 other colleges within 25 miles of Aiken. The nearby colleges (all in Augusta, Georgia, except where otherwise noted) are: Savannah River College; Strayer University; University of Phoenix; University of South Carolina-Salkehatchie (Allendale, S.C.); Virginia College; Southern Wesleyan University (North Augusta, S.C.); Paine College; Augusta State University; Augusta Technical College; Georgia Military College Augusta Campus; and Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology (North Augusta).