Best Public Colleges in South Carolina 2025

Badge for BEST IN SOUTH CAROLINA PUBLIC COLLEGES

By Dr. James Barham
Reviewed By Chloe Dembski

Published: May 4, 2021
Updated: Oct 23, 2024

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.

Key Takeaways

The best public colleges in South Carolina often offer competitive in-state tuition rates, making higher education more accessible to local students while still providing quality education and resources.
Many public colleges in South Carolina emphasize school spirit, traditions, and community involvement, fostering a vibrant campus life that appeals to students seeking a well-rounded college experience.
The colleges in our ranking provide a wide range of academic programs, including strong research opportunities in fields like engineering, business, and health sciences, offering students the chance to gain hands-on experience in their areas of interest.

Table of Contents

10 Best Public Colleges in South Carolina in 2025

University of South Carolina
Clemson University
College of Charleston
The Citadel
+1
Coastal Carolina University
–1
South Carolina State University
+1
Winthrop University
+1
Francis Marion University
+1
University of South Carolina Upstate
+2
Lander University
–4

2025 Ranking Update

Our Influence Ranking Engine™ leverages machine learning to track the real-world influence of colleges and universities over time. Below you’ll see which schools gained or lost ground for the 2025 school year.

In 2025, the top ten schools in our ranking of the best public colleges in South Carolina saw a fair amount of movement. The University of South Carolina Upstate gained the most ranking positions as the university expanded online and hybrid course offerings, providing greater flexibility for working students and those balancing personal commitments. The university has also upgraded its campus facilities, with new state-of-the-art classrooms and student-centered spaces aimed at enhancing both academic and social experiences.

Additionally, USC Upstate has increased internship and career development opportunities through partnerships with local businesses, giving students valuable real-world experience and networking potential to support their career paths.

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.