Forrest College

601 E River Street
Anderson, SC 29624
Top-Ranked (2026-27): View Rankings
  • The mission of Forrest Junior College is to provide an environment that inspires students to more fully develop the confidence to reach their personal and professional goals. The college strives to attain its mission by providing appropriate educational experiences that stress personal and academic goal attainment and emphasize the importance of learning as a life-long process through both individual and group work.

School Highlights

Forrest College serves 27 students (89% of students are full-time).
The college's student-teacher ratio of 2:1 is lower than the state community college average of 29:1.
Minority enrollment is 48% of the student body (majority Black), which is equal to the state average of 48%.

Quick Facts (26-27)

  • Enrollment: 27 students
  • Private-state tuition: $9,420
  • Student-teacher ratio: 2:1
  • Minority enrollment: 48%
  • Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)

Top Rankings

Forrest College ranks among the top 20% of public schools in South Carolina for:

Category
Attribute
Completion Rates

School Overview

The teacher population of 15 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five years.
Forrest College
(SC) Community College Avg.
Carnegie Classification
Associate's Colleges: High Vocational & Technical-High Traditional
Associate's Colleges
Institution Level
At least 2 but less than 4 years
At least 2 but less than 4 years
Institution Control
Private for-profit
Public
Total Faculty
15 staff
71 staff
School Calendar

Student Body

The student population of Forrest College has stayed relatively flat over five years.
The student-teacher ratio of 2:1 has stayed the same over five years.
The Forrest College diversity score of 0.62 is less than the state average of 0.63. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five years.
Total Enrollment
27 students
1,870 students

Showing 2010–2025. Full 19-year historical data available below ↓

Student-Teacher Ratio
2:1
29:1
# Full-Time Students
24 students
661 students

Showing 2010–2025. Full 19-year historical data available below ↓

# Part-Time Students
3 students
1,209 students

Showing 2010–2025. Full 19-year historical data available below ↓

# Enrollment Undergraduate
27 students
1,975 students
# Full-Time Undergraduate Students
24 students
661 students

Showing 2010–2025. Full 19-year historical data available below ↓

% Hispanic
7%
9%
% Black
31%
29%

Showing 2008–2025. Full 19-year historical data available below ↓

% White
52%
52%

Showing 2010–2025. Full 19-year historical data available below ↓

% Two or more races
3%
4%
% Non Resident races
7%
n/a
Diversity Score
0.62
0.63

Showing 2011–2025. Full 19-year historical data available below ↓

College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in less than 4 years)
9%
23.58%

Showing 2010–2021. Full 15-year historical data available below ↓

Average Graduate Earnings (10 Years)
$23,300
$28,800

Tuition & Financial Aid

The private state tuition of $9,420 is less than the state average of $11,922. The private state tuition has declined by 11% over four years.
Private State Tuition Fees
$9,420
$11,922
% Students Receiving Some Financial Aid
91%
95%

Showing 2011–2025. Full 19-year historical data available below ↓

Median Debt for Graduates
$17,816
$11,729

Showing 2008–2020. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓

Median Debt for Dropouts
$6,559
$5,500

Showing 2008–2020. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓

Source: 2025 (or latest year available) Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)

School Notes

  • Forrest Junior College was founded in January 1946 by Mr. R.C. Carr. and was known at that time as the Carolina School of Commerce. The College was located on East Benson Street. Mr. Charles M. Forrest purchased the school in 1951 and, in 1954 the College moved to 500 North McDuffie Street. In 1963, a new facility was constructed and opened at its present location at 601 E River Street. The new facility became known as Forrest College. In April 1985, John Re, Ph.D., and Charles Palmer, Jr., M.Ed., purchased Forrest College, and in March 1989, changed its name to Forrest Junior College. Forrest Junior College is located at 601 E. River Street in Anderson, SC. The institution offers an associate degree program with nine areas of specialization, as well as a number of diploma programs. The College is different from traditional junior colleges in a number of ways. Our classes are small. Consequently, our students receive more individualized instruction and attention. Age is not relevant at FJC, with students ranging from the teens through the seventies. The College offers Associate Degree in Accounting, Computer Information Services, Early Childhood Development, Legal Assisting/Paralegal Studies, Legal Office Administration and Medical Office Administration. Diploma Programs offered by the College includes Administrative Office Assistant, Bookkeeper, Managed Care Assistant, Medical Assistant, Medical Laboratory Assistant and Medical Office Assistant. Forrest Junior College is accredited as a junior college by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS), a national professional accrediting agency recognized by the United States Department of Education. In addition, the College has program accreditation for its Medical Assisting Program by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Forrest College cost?
Forrest College's private state tuition is approximately $9,420.
What is Forrest College's ranking?
Forrest College ranks among the top 20% of community college in South Carolina for: Highest completion rates.

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Quick Facts (26-27)

  • Enrollment: 27 students
  • Private-state tuition: $9,420
  • Student-teacher ratio: 2:1
  • Minority enrollment: 48%
  • Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)

Related School Videos

Did You Know?

For South Carolina public community colleges, the average tuition is approximately $5,692 per year for in-state students and $10,568 for out-of-state students. For private community colleges, the average yearly tuition is approximately $11,922 per year. Read more about average community college tuition costs across the country.

The average community college acceptance rate in South Carolina is 82%. Read more about national community college acceptance rates.

South Carolina community colleges have a diversity score of 0.63, which is lower than the national average of 0.74. The most diverse community college in South Carolina is Midlands Technical College. Read more about community college diversity statistics in the USA.

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