Coastal Pines Technical College

What Is It Known For?

On July 1, 2014, two institutions merged to form Coastal Pines Technical College (CPTC). Altamaha Technical College, which began in 1989, joined with Okefenokee Technical College, founded in 1965. This union created a powerhouse serving the Technical College System of Georgia.

More than 5,400 students enroll annually across CPTC’s service area, which spans 13 counties and represents the largest coverage zone in Georgia’s technical college system.

What’s more, graduates report a 99% placement rate, meaning nearly everyone who completes a program finds work in their field. This success rate reflects how closely CPTC aligns its training with what employers actually need.

Degrees & Certifications

At Coastal Pines Technical College, over 150 programs are spread across six categories, giving you plenty of paths forward:

Programs lead to Associate Degrees, Diplomas, or Technical Certificates of Credit. Duration depends on what you study.

Class Schedules

Morning, afternoon, and evening classes at CPTC accommodate different work schedules. Some programs like Adult Education run evening sessions specifically for working students. Weekend courses add another layer of flexibility.

Instruction may take place face to face, online, or through a hybrid setup that blends both. For online courses, students should plan to spend about ten hours per week per class. Many health and technical programs also include labs, work-based learning, or clinical externships, which helps connect lessons to real settings.

Is It a Good School?

The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) has accredited Coastal Pines Technical College to award associate degrees. The college also holds approval to offer certificates and diplomas at designated degree levels.

Acceptance Rate

CPTC has not published acceptance rates. Each program sets specific entry requirements that applicants must meet.

How Much Does Tuition Cost?

Credit hours at Coastal Pines Technical College cost $107 each. In-state students pay $463 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state residents pay $570. International students pay $784.

A net price calculator is available to help you estimate your specific costs based on your situation.

Programs & Courses

Business

  • Accounting
  • Finance
  • Marketing and Sales
  • Project Management

Criminal Justice & Law

  • Paralegal

Healthcare

  • Medical Billing and Coding
  • Clinical Medical Assistant
  • Sterile Processing Technician
  • Pharmacy Technician
  • EKG Technician
  • Phlebotomy Technician
  • Patient Care Technician

Skilled Trades

  • Construction
  • HVACR
  • Residential Electrician
  • Plumbing

Technology

  • Computer Science
  • Programming

Campus Locations

Brunswick 3700 Glynco Pkwy Brunswick, GA 31525

Reviews

Based on local Google reviews, the Coastal Pines Technical College (CPTC) Golden Isles campus receives mixed feedback, with strong praise for its educational programs and instructors counterbalanced by recurring and severe complaints regarding its administrative processes, particularly in the admissions and enrollment departments.

Overall Score: 4.1/5 Stars

Common Praises

Great Programs and Instructors: The college is commended for having “good instructors with excellent programs.” Students in programs like Massage Therapy have reported receiving all the necessary information and hands-on help with complex processes like FAFSA and admissions.

Friendly and Helpful Staff (Program-Specific): While administrative issues exist, reviewers highlight specific staff in departments like academic advising for being “very helpful and friendly.”

Positive Learning Environment: The campus is generally described as a “very nice place to get an education” and “visitor friendly.”

Common Criticisms

Severe Administrative/Enrollment Issues: The most serious complaint involves the administrative process. Multiple past reviewers reported attempts to enroll being thwarted by screwed-up paperwork multiple times, leading them to enroll at other, farther-away schools.

Rude or Unhelpful Admissions Staff: Specific complaints detail experiences with “sooooo rude” admissions staff who failed to answer questions. Although the former VP of Economic Development was publicly responsive to these older critiques, the issue suggests past problems with initial student-facing interactions.

Cost and Value Perception: One strong negative opinion accused the school of taking students for “every penny” and disparaged the overall academic environment.

Nursing Program Caution: One reviewer specifically urged caution for prospective nursing students, although details of the issue were not fully provided in the snippet. (Note: External accreditation data shows the Coastal Pines Associate of Science in Nursing program, which is competitive, has a strong NCLEX Pass Rate of 93.1% for combined test-takers, and a 100% program completion rate.)

Momentum

The momentum for CPTC Golden Isles is balanced but cautious. Recent, positive reviews (4-7 months ago) praise the quality of the programs and helpfulness of specific advising staff, suggesting an improved educational environment. However, the school has a documented history of severe, repeated administrative errors and staff rudeness, which prospective students should be aware of, particularly during the initial enrollment process. The college does, however, show institutional responsiveness, with administrators providing direct contact information in past replies to address frustrations.