You are not alone if you are just starting your college search. Most people have pondered the eternal question, “Where am I going to college?” or exclaimed gleefully, “I get to choose where I go to college!” at some time in their lives. Whether you’re still in high school or have graduated and are considering graduate school, here’s a list of 15 South Carolina institutions (in no particular order) that might make the cut.

Despite all the misinformation available online, finding the correct answer is difficult. This article, however, will provide you with some useful information regarding the best colleges in South Carolina. 

Information is provided about the best colleges in South Carolina for nursing, the best colleges in South Carolina for psychology, the best colleges in South Carolina for biology, the best colleges in South Carolina for education, and the best colleges in South Carolina for computer science. You will also find related articles on best colleges in South Carolina on Collegelearners.

South Carolina can sometimes be overshadowed by its northern neighbor, especially when schools like the University of North Carolina and Duke attract regular attention on ESPN. But if there were a TV channel devoted to value in higher education, this state would deserve its own segment. From Clemson University – a school nationally known for its school spirit and friendly community – to the University of South Carolina, there are more than enough options to satisfy even the most frugal college students. There are also plenty of great independent schools in the state, but you won’t find a single one with an annual net price over $20,000!

Each of the 20 schools that we have included below qualifies as affordable, but that’s not all. Each also boasts attractive features for students who demand the best, whether you’re looking for a powerful athletic program, challenging academics, small class sizes, or a campus that never sleeps. Our targeted methodology has ranked them according to some of the most important factors in higher education, including selectivity, cost, student engagement, and alumni success. 

Our Ranking Methodology:

Graduation Rate: This indicator refers to the percentage of students who complete their degree within 150% of normal time (six years for a typical four-year degree program). Schools that perform well in this area have a track record of keeping students engaged and successful for their entire time on campus. We weighted this category 30% of the total and retrieved the information from College Navigator.

Net Price: In order to make sure that cost was still a factor in the ranking, we also considered overall net price as an indicator. Taken from data on College Navigator, “net price” is an approximate value that refers to the average amount of money a student could expect to pay each year after taking into account tuition, room and board, living expenses, scholarship awards, and financial aid packages. We weighted this category 25% of the total.

Acceptance Rate: Academically challenging, popular universities tend to be more selective and thus have a lower acceptance rate. In order to pinpoint those colleges that boast rigorous academics and also receive a large number of applications, we considered acceptance rate – the percentage of students out of the total number of applicants who receive an acceptance letter. We retrieved this information from College Navigator and weighted it 30% of the total.

20-Year Net Return on Investment: Taken from information on the website PayScale, this statistic provides a picture of how much students can expect to make after they graduate from a particular college. More specifically, the figure is calculated by taking the average income an alumnus will make over his or her first 20 years after graduation and subtracting the amount paid in tuition. Schools with a high ROI tend to be better at preparing their students for the job market. We weighted this category only 15% because data was not available for all colleges considered.

After adding all the points, we gave each university a final score out of 200. The schools below have scores ranging from 81 to 157, and each has something different to offer in terms of its cost, quality, and reputation. No one college is perfect (which is why the scores vary so much) but this ranking offers you a premier selection of universities to help get you started on your search for an education in South Carolina.

Best Colleges In South Carolina

Ranking the Best Values in South Carolina Colleges and Universities

RANK	SCHOOL	LOCATION
1	Clemson University	Clemson, SC
2	University of South Carolina Upstate	Spartanburg, SC
3	Columbia International University	Columbia, SC
4	Coker College	Hartsville, SC
5	University of South Carolina Columbia	Columbia, SC
6	Citadel Military College of South Carolina	Charleston, SC
7	Lander University	Greenwood, SC
8	Francis Marion University	Florence, SC
9	Presbyterian College	Clinton, SC
10	Southern Wesleyan University	Central, SC

Clemson University
LOCATION
Clemson, SC,
GRADUATION RATE
82%
Gaining admission to Clemson University may be difficult, but those who make the cut say that it’s worth it. With a selective 52% acceptance rate and an impressive 82% graduation rate, Clemson pays off for those who do manage to secure a spot. If you’re not convinced, just ask the 92% of graduating seniors say that they’d pick Clemson again if they were just starting school. In addition to its renowned academics and beautiful campus, this top South Carolina university gives students plenty of opportunities to make their voices heard through campus media. For example, The Tiger, one of its two student-run newspapers, is the oldest and one of the most distinguished in the state. Students also operate an international affairs magazine, a literary magazine, a television station, and a radio station.

University of South Carolina Upstate
LOCATION
Spartanburg, SC,
GRADUATION RATE
38%
A metropolitan university designed to meet the needs of its surrounding community, the South Carolina university was originally founded to educate health care professionals after a local hospital closed its nurse training program. The school has expanded continuously since then, taking the name USC Upstate in 2004 to reflect its burgeoning impact on the entire region. In fact, it’s the fastest growing university in the entire state. This top South Carolina college now enrolls more than 5,000 undergraduates in a diverse range of majors while maintaining a selective 47% acceptance rate.

Columbia International University
LOCATION
Columbia, SC,
GRADUATION RATE
68%
This South Carolina university combines traditional academics with Biblical instruction, preparing students to follow a path into ministry or enter a number of secular careers while focusing on their faith. In addition, the school has been called one of the best universities in South Carolina for military veterans and one of the nation’s best Christian universities – both top selling points for the most patriotic and religious of applicants. Students at Columbia International must agree to abide by a lifestyle code that includes acceptance of Biblical values and restricts activities such as public displays of affection. But the students who attend don’t seem to mind; of the 33% of applicants who receive an acceptance letter, Columbia International graduates a commendable 68%.

Coker College
LOCATION
Hartsville, SC,
GRADUATION RATE
49%
This affordable South Carolina college promises a solid liberal arts foundation to students in 50 academic programs. And no matter which of these academic degrees a student chooses to pursue, he or she will benefit from hands-on training and a faculty to student ratio of just 12 to 1 – that’s one of the lowest in the country! If none of those programs are the right fit, Coker offers options to design an individualized major or complete an honors research project. That’s all available at one of the best cheap colleges in South Carolina since Coker maintains a generous scholarship program based on merit. That being said, both scholarships and admission are competitive, as Coker maintains a respectable 51% acceptance rate.

best colleges in virginia

University of Virginia-Main Campus

LocationCharlottesville, VA

The University of Virginia offers over 300 courses completely online, spanning nine schools and colleges and 18 degree programs. This public institution offers distance learners helpful orientations, an online health and wellness center, 24/7 technical support, and personalized academic success resources.

All online students at UVA pay in-state tuition rates. Prospective learners can apply by submitting an online application and fee, official transcripts, and recommendations. All applicants can apply for the 2021-2022 school year under a test-optional policy.

The University of Virginia is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

Washington and Lee University

LocationLexington, VA

A small, private school located in Lexington, Washington and Lee University currently serves under 2,000 students annually. Its small size allows the university to maintain a low 8-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio.

The ninth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States, W&L currently offers 36 undergraduate majors and 37 undergraduate minors. Additionally, the institution offers graduate studies through its Graduate School of Law.

First-year application requirements include the Common Application and the Questbridge application, official transcripts, two teacher recommendations, one guidance or college counselor recommendation, and self-reported standardized test scores.

Washington and Lee University is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

William & Mary

LocationWilliamsburg, VA

Chartered in 1693, William & Mary operates as the nation’s second-oldest institution of higher learning and was the first institution to gain university status. In total, W&M offers more than 45 undergraduate degree programs and more than 40 graduate and professional degree programs.

W&M offers online education through multiple avenues, including the Raymond A. Mason School of Business and the William & Mary School of Education. The undergraduate application process requires aspiring learners to submit an online application, official transcripts, and a $75 application fee.

William & Mary is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

Virginia Military Institute

LocationLexington, VA

Founded in 1839 as the first state-sponsored military college in the nation, VMI educates about 1,700 students annually. The 11-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio provides intimate learning for undergraduate studies.

Students at VMI can pursue a four-year bachelor’s degree in the arts and humanities, engineering, information and social sciences, life sciences, or natural sciences. Core curriculum requirements cover topics like written and oral communication, civilization and culture, and leadership.

Applicants must complete an online or mail-in application form and submit supporting documentation, such as a guidance counselor or school administrator recommendation, a personal statement, official high school transcripts, and a $40 application fee.

Virginia Military Institute is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

LocationBlacksburg, VA

Virginia Tech offers more than 100 undergraduate programs and about 170 master’s and doctoral programs. Students can also pursue nine online master’s degrees and 19 certificates online. Operating as an approved SARA institution through the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements, Virginia Tech is recognized to provide quality distance education to online learners.

First-year applicants interested in pursuing an undergraduate degree use an online portal to submit an online application, a personal essay, letters of recommendation, and official transcripts.

Virginia Tech is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

public colleges in south carolina

The Citadel

• Home Page – 843-953-5000
• Cadet Admissions – 843-953-5230 or 800-868-1842
• Non-cadet, Evening, Admissions – 843-953-5089 or 800-868-1842
• Financial Aid – 843-953-5187
• Federal School Code: 003423

Clemson University

• Home Page – 864-656-3311
• Admissions – 864-656-2287
• Financial Aid – 864-656-2280
• Federal School Code: 003425

Coastal Carolina University

• Home Page – 843-347-3161
• Admissions – 843-347-3161
• Federal School Code: 003451

College of Charleston

• Home Page – 843-953-5507
• Admissions – 843-953-5670
• Financial Aid – 843-953-5540
• Federal School Code: 003428

Francis Marion University

• Home Page – 843-661-1231 or 800-368-7551
• Admissions – 843-661-1231 or 800-368-7551
• Financial Aid – 843-661-1190
• Federal School Code: 009226

Lander University

• Home Page – 888-452-6337
• Admissions – 864-388-8307 or 888-452-6337
• Financial Aid – 864-388-8340
• Federal School Code: 003435

Medical University of South Carolina

• Home Page – 843-792-2300
• Admissions – 843-792-2536
• Financial Aid – 843-792-2536
• Federal School Code: 003438

South Carolina State University

• Home Page – 803-536-7000
• Admissions – 803-536-7186
• Financial Aid – 803-536-7067
• Federal School Code: 003446

Troy University (Out-of-state, Alabama public university)

• Home Page
• Admissions
• Financial Aid
• Federal School Code: 001047
• Sumter:
  – Sumter Campus – 803-666-3313
  

University of South Carolina

• All campuses – Aiken, Beaufort, Columbia, Lancaster, Salkehatchie, Sumter, Union, Upstate

Winthrop University

• Home Page – 803-323-2211
• Admissions – 803-323-2191 or 800-763-0230
• Financial Aid – 803-323-2189
• Federal School Code: 003456

Lowcountry Graduate Center

best colleges in south carolina for psychology

List of all Psychology colleges in South Carolina

School	Average Tuition	Student Teacher Ratio	Enrolled Students
	University of South Carolina-Columbia Columbia, SC		24 : 1	35,364
	Clemson University Clemson, SC		19 : 1	25,822
	College of Charleston Charleston, SC		20 : 1	10,545
	Francis Marion University Florence, SC		20 : 1	4,240
	Bob Jones University Greenville, SC		18 : 1	3,008
	Columbia College Columbia, SC		23 : 1	1,243
	Winthrop University Rock Hill, SC		20 : 1	5,865
	Citadel Military College of South Carolina Charleston, SC		18 : 1	3,767
	Charleston Southern University Charleston, SC		16 : 1	3,477
	University of South Carolina-Upstate Spartanburg, SC		26 : 1	6,308
	University of South Carolina Beaufort Bluffton, SC		23 : 1	2,119
	Converse College Spartanburg, SC		18 : 1	1,455
	Anderson University Anderson, SC		22 : 1	3,543
	Coastal Carolina University Conway, SC		21 : 1	10,484
	Benedict College Columbia, SC		24 : 1	2,040
	Lander University Greenwood, SC		23 : 1	3,226
	Columbia International University Columbia, SC		43 : 1	1,649
	University of South Carolina Aiken Aiken, SC		23 : 1	3,720
	Furman University Greenville, SC		10 : 1	2,828
	South University-Columbia Columbia, SC		40 : 1	797