Educational and Career Resources
From future-focused K-12 districts to top-ranked higher education institutions, students in Richland County are being prepared for career opportunities by some of the best educators.
- Served by three K-12 school districts
- Home to six higher education institutions
- 94% of the population has a high school diploma or more
- Local- and state-supported programs available to job seekers and employers for upskilling
Higher Education
Two- and four-year institutions in Richland County aren’t working alone. Growing collaboration for transfers between the different colleges is providing increased training opportunities for students at a pace and budget they’re comfortable with. And high school students with career-ready desires are becoming dual graduates, obtaining diplomas and degrees at the same time.
Four-Year Colleges + Universities
University of South Carolina
Benedict College
Allen University
Columbia College
Columbia International University
Two-Year Technical Schools
Greg Hilton
Every day, more and more young professionals and creatives and young entrepreneurs are moving into Richland County and helping the county to reinvent itself.
Brian Kokal
W.B. Guimarin’s success is a reflection of the region we are proud to call home here in South Carolina. Richland County provides our team with a highly capable and motivated workforce that shares our values of always improving oneself, being a trusted partner, and overall being driven and proud of the work we accomplish. Located in an area with strong support for continued education in the trades, WBG is building upon that mindset. We have a growing and successful apprenticeship program to ready the next generation for a rewarding and lifelong career within the new construction and service markets for commercial HVAC & plumbing. Columbia is a place where community and industry coincide. The area’s affordable cost of living, ready accessibility to outdoor spaces, and sense of belonging create an ideal area for not just building careers - but lives and families.
Jody Chastain
Richland County offers an incredible blend of offerings for companies looking to grow and thrive—an abundant, highly skilled workforce, a collaborative and pro-business environment, and a community where people genuinely want to live and work. We’ve had strong support from Richland County leadership, and they understand our vision and help accelerate it. The quality of life here is unmatched, and the potential for continued growth—both for Ritedose and for the region—is truly exciting. We’re proud to be building the future of pharmaceutical manufacturing right here in Columbia, South Carolina.
Mike Reeves
We’ve placed it here because this is a great place to become part of the community, there’s a wonderful employee base here, great opportunities for our business and our employees and particularly for our customers.
K-12
Our local school districts are doing more than teaching the basics, they’re preparing students for the future and real-world success through robust and effective K–12 Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs. These hands-on learning pathways provide students with the technical skills, certifications, and work-based experiences that align directly with the needs of today’s industries.
These hands-on learning pathways provide students with the technical skills, certifications, and work-based experiences that align directly with the needs of today’s industries.
Through partnerships with local businesses, community colleges, and training providers, students are gaining early exposure to high-demand fields such as advanced manufacturing, healthcare, information technology, skilled trades, and more.
school districts
Richland School District 1
- 52 schools
- 10th largest school district by population in S.C
- Student body representing 57 countries
Richland School District 2
- 40 schoolss
- 5th largest school district by population in S.C.
- Largest student body among County districts (28,847)
Lexington-Richland School District 5
- 23 schools
- 14th largest school district by population in S.C.
- Leader among Best Schools in the Columbia area and South Carolina (Niche 2025)
Richland County schools focus on workforce-readiness with industry in-demand curriculum through CTE education and special schools, like R2i2.
R2i2
The Student Innovation Center @ R2i2 in Columbia, SC, is where students turn big ideas into real-world skills.
Open to high schoolers, grades 10-12, across Richland County School District Two, the Student Innovation Center offers hands-on, project based learning classes, with industry certifications, in everything from artificial intelligence, game design and development and mechanical design with 3D printing to culinary arts, fashion marketing, animation, and EV automotive engineering. It’s a space designed for creativity, leadership, and innovation—helping students get a head start on college, careers, or even launching their own ventures.
For local employers, the Student Innovation Center is a win-win. It helps build a strong pipeline of talented, job-ready young professionals trained in fields that matter in today’s economy.
workforce training resources
SC Dept of Employment and Workforce
Works directly with job seekers and employers on a variety of employment-related topics.
dew.sc.gov
Midlands Workforce Development Board
Oversees the Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act (WIOA) program and funding for Fairfield, Lexington, and Richland Counties in the state.
SC Works Midlands
Servicing Richland, Lexington and Fairfield counties, locations offer unemployment and re-employment services for jobseekers, and business solutions assistance for companies.
Goodwill Industries of the Upstate/Midlands SC
Supports career training and placement for job seekers through its 40+ consignment retail stores.
Fast Forward Columbia
provides technology education and computer access to under-served citizens, and operates VetVenue to support military veterans.
Richland County Public Library
The Richland Public Library in Columbia, South Carolina, is a national leader in reimagining the library’s place in the community.
