University Headquarters (HQ) is an industry-leading, independent educational organization that provides independent college rankings using a proprietary formula to create first class, unbiased rankings. The team at University HQ strives to provide accurate and trustworthy rankings that highlight the best programs in South Carolina.
Even if you feel like you don’t have time to attend college, there are many great distance learning options available in the state, making it easy for residents and non-residents to earn degrees. Prospective students who want to enroll remotely can choose from a wide variety of majors at the associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate levels. While doctoral programs are rarely offered 100% online, hybrid options are available and can make earning degrees of all kinds easier. Professional certificates also exist online, though it’s important to note that some subject areas better suited to online learning than others.
While there are many traditional colleges and universities offering in-person instruction in South Carolina, online programs offer several benefits. The top advantage of earning degrees remotely is scheduling flexibility, but the option is good for anyone hoping to find professional employment. Graduates fare significantly better in the job market than those without higher education degrees and often qualify for better-paying employment opportunities.
Best Online Associate & Community Colleges in South Carolina
Trident Technical College
Score: 86.07
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $5,059
- Out-of-State:$8,606
- Net Price: $2,135
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 60%
- Graduation Rate: 24%
- Total Enrollment: 11,789
- Undergrad Students: 11,789
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $38,800
- Student-to-faculty: 20:1
Tri-County Technical College
Score: 80.89
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,008
- Out-of-State:$11,096
- Net Price: $6,521
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 55%
- Graduation Rate: 35%
- Total Enrollment: 5,629
- Undergrad Students: 5,629
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $39,700
- Student-to-faculty: 19:1
Central Carolina Technical College
Score: 73.96
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,594
- Out-of-State:$9,016
- Net Price: $5,521
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 61%
- Graduation Rate: 22%
- Total Enrollment: 3,314
- Undergrad Students: 3,314
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $33,900
- Student-to-faculty: 15:1
Greenville Technical College
Score: 57.62
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,235
- Out-of-State:$10,657
- Net Price: $6,792
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: N/A
- Graduation Rate: 17%
- Total Enrollment: 11,380
- Undergrad Students: 11,380
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $37,200
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
Top 15 Best Online Colleges in South Carolina
Clemson University
Score: 83.37
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $15,554
- Out-of-State:$39,498
- Net Price: $24,577
- Acceptance Rate: 43%
- Retention Rate: 92%
- Graduation Rate: 85%
- Total Enrollment: 28,466
- Undergrad Students: 22,566
- Graduate Students: 5,900
- Grads Salary: $76,000
- Student-to-faculty: 16:1
Southern Wesleyan University
Score: 80.51
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $27,870
- Out-of-State:$27,870
- Net Price: $17,639
- Acceptance Rate: 51%
- Retention Rate: 67%
- Graduation Rate: 60%
- Total Enrollment: 1,175
- Undergrad Students: 896
- Graduate Students: 279
- Grads Salary: $74,000
- Student-to-faculty: 12:1
University of South Carolina-Columbia
Score: 78.81
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $12,688
- Out-of-State:$34,934
- Net Price: $22,427
- Acceptance Rate: 64%
- Retention Rate: 90%
- Graduation Rate: 78%
- Total Enrollment: 35,653
- Undergrad Students: 27,343
- Graduate Students: 8,310
- Grads Salary: $71,000
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
Bob Jones University
Score: 76.78
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $23,400
- Out-of-State:$23,400
- Net Price: $18,733
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 80%
- Graduation Rate: 69%
- Total Enrollment: 3,095
- Undergrad Students: 2,665
- Graduate Students: 430
- Grads Salary: $70,000
- Student-to-faculty: 12:1
Lander University
Score: 73.24
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $11,700
- Out-of-State:$21,300
- Net Price: $15,524
- Acceptance Rate: 67%
- Retention Rate: 66%
- Graduation Rate: 45%
- Total Enrollment: 4,167
- Undergrad Students: 3,562
- Graduate Students: 605
- Grads Salary: $68,000
- Student-to-faculty: 16:1
Winthrop University
Score: 72.51
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $15,956
- Out-of-State:$30,286
- Net Price: $17,008
- Acceptance Rate: 70%
- Retention Rate: 67%
- Graduation Rate: 61%
- Total Enrollment: 4,712
- Undergrad Students: 3,741
- Graduate Students: 971
- Grads Salary: $60,000
- Student-to-faculty: 12:1
Francis Marion University
Score: 72.28
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $11,160
- Out-of-State:$21,544
- Net Price: $12,614
- Acceptance Rate: 83%
- Retention Rate: 65%
- Graduation Rate: 39%
- Total Enrollment: 4,045
- Undergrad Students: 3,635
- Graduate Students: 410
- Grads Salary: $65,000
- Student-to-faculty: 13:1
Coastal Carolina University
Score: 72.16
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $11,640
- Out-of-State:$29,628
- Net Price: $14,016
- Acceptance Rate: 79%
- Retention Rate: 71%
- Graduation Rate: 48%
- Total Enrollment: 10,337
- Undergrad Students: 9,794
- Graduate Students: 543
- Grads Salary: $62,000
- Student-to-faculty: 16:1
North Greenville University
Score: 72.12
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $24,650
- Out-of-State:$24,650
- Net Price: $11,705
- Acceptance Rate: 76%
- Retention Rate: 71%
- Graduation Rate: 54%
- Total Enrollment: 2,125
- Undergrad Students: 1,839
- Graduate Students: 286
- Grads Salary: $52,000
- Student-to-faculty: 13:1
Columbia International University
Score: 71.33
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $27,900
- Out-of-State:$27,900
- Net Price: $19,911
- Acceptance Rate: 48%
- Retention Rate: 66%
- Graduation Rate: 70%
- Total Enrollment: 2,481
- Undergrad Students: 1,001
- Graduate Students: 1,480
- Grads Salary: $56,000
- Student-to-faculty: 13:1
Anderson University-South Carolina
Score: 66.4
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $33,580
- Out-of-State:$33,580
- Net Price: $21,633
- Acceptance Rate: 45%
- Retention Rate: 81%
- Graduation Rate: 60%
- Total Enrollment: 4,121
- Undergrad Students: 3,237
- Graduate Students: 884
- Grads Salary: $53,000
- Student-to-faculty: 14:1
Charleston Southern University
Score: 65.7
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $31,030
- Out-of-State:$31,030
- Net Price: $17,536
- Acceptance Rate: 87%
- Retention Rate: 70%
- Graduation Rate: 44%
- Total Enrollment: 3,418
- Undergrad Students: 2,836
- Graduate Students: 582
- Grads Salary: $60,000
- Student-to-faculty: 12:1
Claflin University
Score: 65.65
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $17,046
- Out-of-State:$17,046
- Net Price: $19,951
- Acceptance Rate: 78%
- Retention Rate: 79%
- Graduation Rate: 50%
- Total Enrollment: 1,830
- Undergrad Students: 1,749
- Graduate Students: 81
- Grads Salary: $59,000
- Student-to-faculty: 13:1
Columbia College-Columbia,SC
Score: 64.13
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $21,450
- Out-of-State:$21,450
- Net Price: $18,779
- Acceptance Rate: 98%
- Retention Rate: 55%
- Graduation Rate: 55%
- Total Enrollment: 1,514
- Undergrad Students: 1,173
- Graduate Students: 341
- Grads Salary: $58,000
- Student-to-faculty: 11:1
Coker University
Score: 62.21
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $31,854
- Out-of-State:$31,854
- Net Price: $19,345
- Acceptance Rate: 94%
- Retention Rate: 63%
- Graduation Rate: 42%
- Total Enrollment: 1,160
- Undergrad Students: 1,060
- Graduate Students: 100
- Grads Salary: $61,000
- Student-to-faculty: 12:1
