Best Public Colleges in South Carolina 2023

Best Public Colleges in South Carolina 2023
By James Barham
Published:
Updated:

Public colleges and universities account for almost 75 percent of all undergraduate students in the U.S. The best public colleges in South Carolina provide broad access to reputable degree programs, affordable tuition, and sprawling educational communities.

10 Best Public Colleges in South Carolina

  1. University of South Carolina
  2. Clemson University
  3. College of Charleston
  4. Coastal Carolina University
  5. The Citadel
  6. Lander University
  7. South Carolina State University
  8. Winthrop University
  9. Francis Marion University
  10. University of South Carolina Aiken

Colleges and Universities in South Carolina

The 31 public schools range in tuition from $5,000 to $17,000. The largest institution, the University of South Carolina (U of SC), is right in the middle, totaling $11,000 for fees. Located in Columbia, U of SC has over 30,000 students in attendance and offers over 300 degree options. Aside from the technical and community colleges in the state, there are four universities under $10,000. At $17,000, the Medical University of South Carolina is the most expensive public school in the state.

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In addition, over 25 private schools, 17 with religious affiliations, offer academic settings with small student populations, none exceeding 3,500. Though it is the most expensive at $50,000, Furman University boasts an 84% graduation rate. With Methodist connections, Wofford College charges a tuition of $44,000, and it bears noting that the campus is situated on a national arboretum. The University of South Carolina School of Law is one of the nation’s oldest law schools and the state’s only nonprofit law school. Graduates of the school have the opportunity to receive financial assistance from the Public Interest Law Loan Forgiveness Fund if they are employed in the field of public interest law.

Along the 60-mile stretch of beaches in South Carolina is iconic Myrtle Beach, home to one of the world’s tallest Ferris wheels. Cypress swamps, military museums, and tea gardens add to the southern charm of this state. And with over 50 higher education institutions, students have plenty of options for where to earn their associate, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree.

Check out the top programs available, and earn your degree in The Palmetto State.


What are South Carolina’s Colleges & Universities?

South Carolina’s Best Overall

What is the difference between public and private colleges?

Public and private colleges and universities operate under different business models. Public colleges and universities are owned by the state and receive both state and federal funding to operate. Private colleges and universities are private companies with private funding. If you’re looking at the pros and cons of private vs. public colleges, consider that many public colleges provide diverse course offerings, influential professors, and an excellent return on your investment.

Public colleges are schools that receive most of their funding from tax revenues. As a result, the cost of a bachelor’s degree at a public university is often lower than the equivalent cost at a private college — especially for students attending a public school in their home state. Attending a college in-state is usually the cheapest option. Private universities and colleges can be very competitive with their funding opportunities, so do not simply believe that private colleges are always going to be more expensive. According to National Center for Educational Statistics, the average annual cost (tuition, fees, room and board for full-time students) at a public university was slightly over $20,000. In contrast, private universities cost, on average, nearly $43,000 annually. But in the end, the cost of college comes down to each student’s academic and financial situation.

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This list is composed entirely of public colleges and universities that offer bachelor’s degrees. We’ve identified 12 public universities in South Carolina. To be included in our list of the best public colleges in South Carolina, shcools must receive direct funding from the state, be fully accredited, and offer a broad range of bachelor’s degress.

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Best Public Colleges in South Carolina 2022

  1. #1

    University of South Carolina

    Columbia , SC
    #1 Best Colleges in South Carolina 2023 #1 Most Affordable Colleges in South Carolina 2023 #1 Best Research Universities in South Carolina 2023 #1 Best Grad Schools in South Carolina 2023
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $13K

    Acceptance

    62%

    Graduation

    78%

    Student body

    33K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1240/28

    What is University of South Carolina known for?

    University of South Carolina’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    University of South Carolina’s Online Degrees

    BS in Hospitality Management
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Organizational Leadership
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Business Administration
    Degree Concentrations
    • Accounting
    • Management
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Information Management And Systems
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Applied Computer Science
    Degree Concentrations
    • Cybersecurity
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Criminal Justice
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Elementary Educational Studies
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Special Education
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Human Services
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Liberal Studies
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Sociology
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Communication
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Health Informatics
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BSN in Nursing Rn To Bsn
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Public Health
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Psychology
    Degree Concentrations
    • Aiken
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Psychology
    Degree Concentrations
    • Beaufort
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  3. #3

    College of Charleston

    Charleston , SC
    #1 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in South Carolina 2023 #3 Best Colleges in South Carolina 2023 #3 Most Affordable Colleges in South Carolina 2023 #4 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2023
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $13K

    Acceptance

    76%

    Graduation

    67%

    Student body

    10K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1155/24

    What is College of Charleston known for?

    College of Charleston’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    College of Charleston’s Online Degrees

    BPS in Professional Studies
    Degree Concentrations
    • Organizational Management And Development
    • Project Management
    • Organizational Management And Development
    • Project Management
    • Applied Communication
    • Healthcare And Medical Services Management
    • Healthcare And Medical Services Management
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in General Studies
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  4. #4

    Coastal Carolina University

    Conway , SC
    #3 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in South Carolina 2023 #3 Best Grad Schools in South Carolina 2023 #4 Most Affordable Colleges in South Carolina 2023 #5 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2023
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $12K

    Acceptance

    79%

    Graduation

    51%

    Student body

    10K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1100/22

    What is Coastal Carolina University known for?

    Coastal Carolina University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Coastal Carolina University’s Online Degrees

    BSBA in Hospitality And Tourism Management
    Degree Concentrations
    • Event Planning
    • Sustainable Resort Development
    • Tourism Sales
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BSBA in Marketing
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Health Administration
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  5. #5

    The Citadel

    Charleston , SC
    #4 Best Small Colleges in South Carolina 2023 #5 Most Affordable Colleges in South Carolina 2023 #6 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in South Carolina 2023 #8 Best Colleges in South Carolina 2023

    Tuition + fees

    $13K

    Acceptance

    86%

    Graduation

    73%

    Student body

    4K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1120/23

    What is The Citadel known for?

    The Citadel’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    The Citadel’s Online Degrees

    BS in Business Administration
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Criminal Justice
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Intelligence And Security Studies
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Secondary Education
    Degree Concentrations
    • Social Studies
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  7. #6

    Lander University

    Greenwood , SC
    #5 Best Small Colleges in South Carolina 2023 #6 Most Affordable Colleges in South Carolina 2023 #7 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in South Carolina 2023 #9 Best Colleges in South Carolina 2023

    Tuition + fees

    $12K

    Acceptance

    69%

    Graduation

    53%

    Student body

    3K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1015/19

    What is Lander University known for?

    Lander University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Lander University’s Online Degrees

    BAS in Business Administration
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Business Administration
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Criminology
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Paralegal Studies
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Human Services
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Health Promotion And Wellness
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  10. #9

    Francis Marion University

    Florence , SC
    #7 Best Small Colleges in South Carolina 2023 #9 Most Affordable Colleges in South Carolina 2023 #10 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in South Carolina 2023

    Tuition + fees

    $11K

    Acceptance

    86%

    Graduation

    43%

    Student body

    3K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1000/18

    What is Francis Marion University known for?

    Francis Marion University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Francis Marion University’s Online Degrees

    BSN in Nursing Rn To Bsn
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  11. #10

    University of South Carolina Aiken

    Aiken , SC
    #8 Best Small Colleges in South Carolina 2023 #10 Most Affordable Colleges in South Carolina 2023

    Tuition + fees

    $11K

    Acceptance

    84%

    Graduation

    43%

    Student body

    3K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1060/20

    What is University of South Carolina Aiken known for?

    University of South Carolina Aiken’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    University of South Carolina Aiken’s Online Degrees

    BSN in Nursing Rn To Bsn
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  13. #11

    University of South Carolina Upstate

    Spartanburg , SC

    Tuition + fees

    $12K

    Acceptance

    76%

    Graduation

    47%

    Student body

    5K

    Median SAT/ACT

    995/19

    What is University of South Carolina Upstate known for?

    University of South Carolina Upstate’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

  14. #12

    University of South Carolina Beaufort

    Bluffton , SC

    Tuition + fees

    $11K

    Acceptance

    84%

    Graduation

    30%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1025/19

    What is University of South Carolina Beaufort known for?

    University of South Carolina Beaufort’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    University of South Carolina Beaufort’s Online Degrees

    BS in Hospitality Management
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Human Services
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Interdisciplinary Studies
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Sociology
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Public Health
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
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South Carolina’s Best Public College in Your Area of Interest

Anthropology Biology Business Chemistry Commun­ications Computer Science Criminal Justice Earth Sciences Economics Education Engineering History Law Literature Mathematics Medical Nursing Philosophy Physics Political Science Psychology Religious Studies Social Work Sociology
2021 Ranking Archive

Many of our 2022 undergraduate focused rankings look considerably different than 2021. That’s because we took a fundamentally different apporach. For 2021 we utilized our Concentrated Influence algorithm, designed to take away the size advantage larger schools have when we rank their faculty and alumni’s academic influence. Concentrated influence highlights smaller schools that are proportionally as successful as larger universities at cultivating influential alumni and faculty.

  1. University of South Carolina
  2. Clemson University
  3. The Citadel
  4. College of Charleston
  5. Coastal Carolina University
  6. Winthrop University
  7. University of South Carolina Upstate
  8. Francis Marion University
  9. Lander University
  10. University of South Carolina Aiken

Check out our directory of public colleges throughout the U.S. for a look at the top public colleges in every state.

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