Here are the most affordable colleges and universities in South Carolina. Our list will help you find the right kind of school for you, at a price you can afford.
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.
There are 19 colleges and universities in South Carolina with stated tuitions and fees under $20,000/year. The following list of the most affordable colleges and universities in South Carolina is composed entirely of schools offering bachelor’s degree programs, have stated tuition and fees near or under the national average of $16,000/year, and are fully accredited colleges.
These schools are ranked by academic excellence, and all under $20,000/year.
Tuition + fees
$13K
Acceptance
62%
Graduation
78%
Student body
33K
Median SAT/ACT
1240/28
University of South Carolina’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$16K
Acceptance
49%
Graduation
85%
Student body
26K
Median SAT/ACT
1300/29
Clemson University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$13K
Acceptance
76%
Graduation
67%
Student body
10K
Median SAT/ACT
1155/24
College of Charleston’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$12K
Acceptance
79%
Graduation
51%
Student body
10K
Median SAT/ACT
1100/22
Coastal Carolina University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$13K
Acceptance
86%
Graduation
73%
Student body
4K
Median SAT/ACT
1120/23
The Citadel’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$12K
Acceptance
69%
Graduation
53%
Student body
3K
Median SAT/ACT
1015/19
Lander University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$11K
Acceptance
88%
Graduation
30%
Student body
2K
Median SAT/ACT
900/16
South Carolina State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$16K
Acceptance
64%
Graduation
58%
Student body
5K
Median SAT/ACT
1045/22
Winthrop University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$11K
Acceptance
86%
Graduation
43%
Student body
3K
Median SAT/ACT
1000/18
Francis Marion University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$11K
Acceptance
84%
Graduation
43%
Student body
3K
Median SAT/ACT
1060/20
University of South Carolina Aiken’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$13K
Acceptance
57%
Graduation
23%
Student body
<1K
Allen University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$17K
Acceptance
86%
Graduation
25%
Student body
2K
Benedict College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$12K
Acceptance
76%
Graduation
47%
Student body
5K
Median SAT/ACT
995/19
University of South Carolina Upstate’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$11K
Acceptance
84%
Graduation
30%
Student body
2K
Median SAT/ACT
1025/19
University of South Carolina Beaufort’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$17K
Acceptance
62%
Graduation
51%
Student body
2K
Median SAT/ACT
940/17
Claflin University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$15K
Graduation
25%
Student body
<1K
Morris College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$13K
Graduation
32%
Student body
<1K
Tuition + fees
$10K
Graduation
38%
Student body
<1K
Clinton College ’s faculty and alumni have been influential in: