Best Colleges in South Carolina for Associate, Bachelor’s & Master’s

South Carolina College Guide – What You Need to Know

Get Matched With South Carolina Programs

South Carolina has a multitude of colleges and universities for nearly any preference in a field of study. With the help of the state’s diversification and inclusion initiatives, more and more young people want to live in South Carolina. You will find higher education institutes near the sea, and you will find colleges and universities with some of the most stunning historical buildings in the US.

The state is filled with a healthy balance of public and private accredited colleges and universities with online programs. Some of the most reputable and popular public four-year schools include Clemson University, University of South Carolina, College of Charleston, Winthrop University, and Lander University. If you prefer private education, consider Coker College, Newberry College, Converse College, and Furman University. For those of you looking to skyrocket your military reputation, The Citadel is one of the premier military colleges in the country.

What are the most popular bachelor's degrees offered in South Carolina?

South Carolina is on trend with most states in regard to business, marketing, and health professions being highly popular bachelor’s degree programs. These three areas seem to remain in demand nationwide and will continue to do so for years to come. The strategic location of South Carolina has made it an ideal location to be used as a transportation hub. This has created a demand for transportation, logistics, supply chain, and procurement majors in the state. And the automotive and aeronautics industries continue to prosper. Unlike most other states, South Carolina has an extraordinary biotechnology industry that is booming.

Most Popular Degrees:

How Much Can You Make by Having a Degree in South Carolina


You will almost always make more money with a degree than without one. In fact, the higher your degrees of completion the more money you will make. It is possible to make decent wages with a high school diploma or an associate’s degree; however, you will catapult your earning potential with a bachelor’s or a master’s degree. These degrees are relatively easy to obtain today with the help of accredited online programs from reputable colleges and universities like those in South Carolina. Keep working or looking after your kids while you complete your degree one class at a time. And remember that many employers will provide tuition reimbursement for those who work to improve their skill set and knowledge base while in their employee.

Education Level & National Average Median Compensation

NO FORMAL EDUCATION HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA ASSOCIATE DEGREE BACHELOR’S DEGREE MASTER’S DEGREE DOCTORAL DEGREE
$30,784* $38,792* $46,124* $64,896* $77,844* $96,772*

Compare Popular Online South Carolina Programs

Best Associate Degrees in South Carolina


You can earn your associate degree in South Carolina in an in-demand program like nuclear medicine technology, radiation therapy, physical therapy assisting, radiologic technology, or occupational therapy if you’re looking to enter the healthcare field. If this isn’t your passion, there are plenty of other options available in IT, accounting, business, and more. You can find the best associate degrees available from the following colleges and universities. Why not take a look?

University of South Carolina-Lancaster
College Type
2-year, Public
Campus Housing
No
Student Population
1,810
Graduation Rate
22%
Net Price
$8,914
Grads Salary
$44,900
Spartanburg Methodist College
College Type
4-year, primarily associate's, Private not-for-profit
Campus Housing
Yes
Student Population
1,051
Graduation Rate
48%
Net Price
$12,457
Grads Salary
$37,900
Spartanburg Community College
College Type
2-year, Public
Campus Housing
No
Student Population
4,108
Graduation Rate
28%
Net Price
$4,023
Grads Salary
$33,100
Trident Technical College
College Type
2-year, Public
Campus Housing
No
Student Population
11,650
Graduation Rate
18%
Net Price
$2,506
Grads Salary
$35,100
Tri-County Technical College
College Type
2-year, Public
Campus Housing
No
Student Population
6,181
Graduation Rate
32%
Net Price
$8,603
Grads Salary
$33,600
Aiken Technical College
College Type
2-year, Public
Campus Housing
No
Student Population
1,925
Graduation Rate
26%
Net Price
$4,362
Grads Salary
$25,500
Horry-Georgetown Technical College
College Type
2-year, Public
Campus Housing
No
Student Population
6,409
Graduation Rate
24%
Net Price
$4,753
Grads Salary
$25,800
York Technical College
College Type
2-year, Public
Campus Housing
No
Student Population
4,178
Graduation Rate
25%
Net Price
$7,870
Grads Salary
$31,200
Northeastern Technical College
College Type
2-year, Public
Campus Housing
No
Student Population
1,465
Graduation Rate
27%
Net Price
$6,246
Grads Salary
$28,500
Florence-Darlington Technical College
College Type
2-year, Public
Campus Housing
No
Student Population
3,315
Graduation Rate
17%
Net Price
$3,176
Grads Salary
$25,800
Full Ranking Report

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Best Bachelor's Degrees in South Carolina


You can make it even easier for yourself when looking for gainful employment with a bachelor's degree from a South Carolina college or university. There are many bachelor's programs offered in the state including some in chemical engineering, actuarial mathematics, mechanical engineering, computer science, management information systems, business administration, finance, and much, much more. Here you’ll find our list of the top schools in the state, which you can use to find a program that matches your needs.

Clemson University
College Type
4-year, Public
Campus Housing
Yes
Student Population
25,822
Graduation Rate
85%
Net Price
$22,935
Grads Salary
$69,900
Citadel Military College of South Carolina
College Type
4-year, Public
Campus Housing
Yes
Student Population
3,740
Graduation Rate
71%
Net Price
$17,920
Grads Salary
$71,000
University of South Carolina-Columbia
College Type
4-year, Public
Campus Housing
Yes
Student Population
35,364
Graduation Rate
78%
Net Price
$21,784
Grads Salary
$64,400
Bob Jones University
College Type
4-year, Private not-for-profit
Campus Housing
Yes
Student Population
3,008
Graduation Rate
65%
Net Price
$15,669
Grads Salary
$62,400
Wofford College
College Type
4-year, Private not-for-profit
Campus Housing
Yes
Student Population
1,764
Graduation Rate
80%
Net Price
$30,431
Grads Salary
$63,400
Presbyterian College
College Type
4-year, Private not-for-profit
Campus Housing
Yes
Student Population
1,309
Graduation Rate
64%
Net Price
$21,959
Grads Salary
$63,900
College of Charleston
College Type
4-year, Public
Campus Housing
Yes
Student Population
10,384
Graduation Rate
66%
Net Price
$20,351
Grads Salary
$60,600
Southern Wesleyan University
College Type
4-year, Private not-for-profit
Campus Housing
Yes
Student Population
1,430
Graduation Rate
54%
Net Price
$18,614
Grads Salary
$64,700
Furman University
College Type
4-year, Private not-for-profit
Campus Housing
Yes
Student Population
2,567
Graduation Rate
81%
Net Price
$37,761
Grads Salary
$67,500
Winthrop University
College Type
4-year, Public
Campus Housing
Yes
Student Population
5,865
Graduation Rate
61%
Net Price
$19,300
Grads Salary
$58,100
Full Ranking Report

Best Master's Degrees in South Carolina


An advanced degree is ready for you at one of South Carolina's best graduate schools. You could pursue a master's or doctorate in library science, public administration, cognitive neuroscience, zoology, infectious disease epidemiology, or juridical science. No matter your expertise, you can use the available programs to move your career forward. Check out our list of excellent schools and programs. It will give you a great place to start when you start looking to earn your terminal degree.

Clemson University
College Type
4-year, Public
Campus Housing
Yes
Student Population
25,822
Graduation Rate
85%
Net Price
$22,935
Grads Salary
$69,900
Citadel Military College of South Carolina
College Type
4-year, Public
Campus Housing
Yes
Student Population
3,740
Graduation Rate
71%
Net Price
$17,920
Grads Salary
$71,000
University of South Carolina-Columbia
College Type
4-year, Public
Campus Housing
Yes
Student Population
35,364
Graduation Rate
78%
Net Price
$21,784
Grads Salary
$64,400
Bob Jones University
College Type
4-year, Private not-for-profit
Campus Housing
Yes
Student Population
3,008
Graduation Rate
65%
Net Price
$15,669
Grads Salary
$62,400
Presbyterian College
College Type
4-year, Private not-for-profit
Campus Housing
Yes
Student Population
1,309
Graduation Rate
64%
Net Price
$21,959
Grads Salary
$63,900
College of Charleston
College Type
4-year, Public
Campus Housing
Yes
Student Population
10,384
Graduation Rate
66%
Net Price
$20,351
Grads Salary
$60,600
Southern Wesleyan University
College Type
4-year, Private not-for-profit
Campus Housing
Yes
Student Population
1,430
Graduation Rate
54%
Net Price
$18,614
Grads Salary
$64,700
Furman University
College Type
4-year, Private not-for-profit
Campus Housing
Yes
Student Population
2,567
Graduation Rate
81%
Net Price
$37,761
Grads Salary
$67,500
Columbia International University
College Type
4-year, Private not-for-profit
Campus Housing
Yes
Student Population
2,098
Graduation Rate
68%
Net Price
$18,651
Grads Salary
$54,000
Winthrop University
College Type
4-year, Public
Campus Housing
Yes
Student Population
5,865
Graduation Rate
61%
Net Price
$19,300
Grads Salary
$58,100
Full Ranking Report
Learn about MBA's in South Carolina

Cost of South Carolina College Education & Salaries


The cost of your overall education is highly important to consider. If you take out $100,000 in financial aid and only make $25,000 a year, you may struggle to pay your bills for the rest of your life. It is important to think about potential careers and the cost of your education before you select a school. Most four-year public colleges and universities are highly affordable for those paying in-state tuition. If you are not a state resident, you will have to pay out-of-state tuition which is often significantly more. If you plan to attend a four-year private school, it will cost in-state residents roughly double in most cases if not more. Private schools typically have the same tuition costs for in-state and out-of-state residents.

Do not forget to include the cost of living and your book and class fees. These will all add up. It might be less expensive to live on campus in some towns or cities. In other cities, it will cost more to live on campus. These are all financial aspects to consider before you choose the right school for you, and remember that online courses can help you save money and provide you with greater flexibility in your life.

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College Cost Analysis - South Carolina vs National


Average South Carolina Tuition & Fees at 4 Year Public Schools

In-State Tuition - $13,013

National Average – $9,580

Out-of-State Tuition – $32,174

National Average – $27,437

Percentage of Students Receiving Financial Aid

The vast majority of students in the US require at least some financial assistance regardless of the college or university. South Carolina is ranked number 14 in the US for the most financial aid awarded. Each student receives roughly $10,689 on average with a total of 194,600 students receiving federal aid each year and 63% percent of all applicants are approved for financial aid.

Financial Aid South Carolina Nationally
Received Federal Grants 41% 37.7%
Average $ per Recipient $10,689 $10,927

* Institutional aid represents grant and scholarship funds directly awarded by a postsecondary institution.
* Financial aid data represents 4-year public and private nonprofit schools only.

Best Scholarships for South Carolina


CCCS

Cancer for College Carolinas Scholarship

https://cancerforcollege.org/available-scholarships/
Amount: $5,000
Deadline: January 31
The Cancer for College Carolinas Scholarship is dedicated to applicants who have been diagnosed with cancer themselves. The applicants must also plan to attend an accredited degree program rather than a certificate program. You will have to be a full-time undergraduate student or a part-time graduate student to qualify. The recipient and their parent or guardian cannot earn more than $150,000 to be awarded this scholarship. You will be required to present financials, letters of recommendation, and your intent to attend a college or university in South Carolina or North Carolina.

AAN_logo

AAN

African American Network

https://fftcscholarships.communityforce.com/Funds/Search.aspx
Amount: $2,000
Deadline: March 1
The African American Network Carolina Chapter is managed by the Fund For the Carolinas. This is also a part of Duke Energy which is a major employer in South Carolina. Applicants must be interested in one of several specific degrees, such as accounting, business administration, computer science, engineering, finance, mathematics, or science. You must be a graduating high school senior from either North Carolina or South Carolina, and your GPA and need for financial assistance will be important factors. You must attend a college or university in North Carolina or South Carolina.

ANSWE

Anderson Nontraditional Scholarship for Women’s Education

http://answerscholarship.org/
Amount: $2,000-$4,000
Deadline: March 1
The Anderson Nontraditional Scholarship for Women’s Education (ANSWER) is for women who are at least the age of 25 or older. Applicants must be raising children at home who are school-aged. ANSWER provides the scholarship and a network of women to offer advice and encouragement to other women who wish to continue their education. To be eligible, you must enter a two-year program for nursing or a CPCC health career. If you enroll in a four-year degree program, you will also qualify. Scholarships are based solely on donations from the ANSWER network, including individuals, businesses, houses of worship, and others.

BRMS

Bobbi Rossi Memorial Scholarship

https://www.yourfoundation.org/BobbiRossiScholarship
Amount: Varies
Deadline: March 17
The Bobbi Rossi Memorial Scholarship is part of the Central Carolina Community Foundation. Applicants must be working toward a nursing degree at the University of South Carolina and must be in the upper division of the program at the time of their application. They must also have at least a 3.0 GPA and be a full-time student the entire traditional school year. Applicants must demonstrate the ways in which they participate within the community and in campus life and prove their financial need to be considered.

CVRHS

Carolinas-Virginias Retail Hardware Scholarship

https://fftcscholarships.communityforce.com/Funds/Search.aspx
Amount: $1,250
Deadline: March 1
The Carolinas-Virginia Retail Hardware Association is managed by the Foundation for the Carolinas. Eligible individuals must be the child of an employee of a business that is a member of the Carolinas-Virginia Retail Hardware Association and a resident of South Carolina, North Carolina, West Virginia or Virginia. Eleven scholarships in total will be awarded each year. Recipients will have at least a 2.5 GPA, and a parent or guardian must have been a full-time employee of a member business for at least two years.

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