The best online master’s South Carolina has to offer come from its prestigious public and private universities known for their academic excellence, student support and career services, and alumni network. These online colleges offer master’s degree programs in diverse disciplines, offered everywhere in the state by the top business administration, engineering, criminal justice, or medical university, to the leading ministry and Christian colleges. These master’s online degree programs combine the academic rigor of on-campus programs and the convenience of online learning, too.
Note that online universities and colleges in South Carolina must meet the educational standards as well as the state rules and regulations on higher education set by the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education. The colleges and universities accreditation agency in the Palmetto State is Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
The 31 public schools in South Carolina range in tuition from $5,000 to $17,000. The largest school, 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 South Carolina where students can earn an associate or bachelor’s degree, 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 to the public universities in South Carolina, there are over 25 private schools, 17 with religious affiliations, that 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 over 50 higher education institutions in total, students have plenty of options for where to earn their associate, bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, or even doctoral degree.
Check out the top programs available, and earn your degree in South Carolina.
Most online colleges in South Carolina have separate tuition and fees for their master’s programs and, thus, it’s crucial for prospective students to check with each college for specifics. Most online programs also have different tuition per credit for residents and non-residents of South Carolina, usually with non-resident graduate students paying more tuition than their resident counterparts.
The tuition per credit varies widely between online colleges and universities in South Carolina, too, and between online programs in the same online school, too. For example, at the University of South Carolina, graduate students pursuing master’s degrees in education pay between $515 and $572.25 per credit while graduate students in engineering and computing programs pay $572.25 per credit regardless of their residency status.
At Anderson University, the graduate per credit tuition ranges between $405 and $920.
But online learning involves non-tuition expenses that must be considered as part of the total cost of attendance among graduate students in South Carolina. These include but aren’t limited to:
The cost of the computer setup (e.g., hardware and software including virtual classroom software) and Internet connectivity must also be considered.
Online colleges and universities in South Carolina offer financial aid options that make online education more accessible. Students considering online master’s programs should look into the following options and discuss them with financial aid officers.
While there are challenges with earning an online degree, it does pay! The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that professionals with a master’s degree earn $1,574 in median weekly income and experience a 2.6% unemployment rate. Professionals with a bachelor’s degree earn $240 less in median weekly income and experience a 3.5% unemployment rate.
Earning an MBA is also a sound investment in South Carolina! The average annual pay is $114,274 for MBA degree holders, and there are abundant opportunities for career advancement, too.
Remember that pursuing a master’s degree via online education can be a life-changing decision! Be sure to look at these attributes of the best online master’s programs in South Carolina before choosing.
Be sure to check out the delivery format and its convenience and flexibility, particularly if you’re a working professional. Other equally important considerations are tuition and financial assistance, career services and alumni network, time-to-completion, and job placement outcomes.
The following graph depicts the average salaries of top occupations in different industries in South Carolina.
Source: U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS
Tuition + fees
$13K
Acceptance
62%
Graduation
78%
Student body
33K
Median SAT/ACT
1240/28
Of the numerous universities and colleges in South Carolina, the University of South Carolina is arguably its most prestigious! The public research university is recognized for the world-class college education that comes with its undergraduate and graduate degrees.
No wonder then that the best online programs in South Carolina are offered here, and it must be said that holders of its online master’s degrees are thought and action leaders in their fields.
Admission into this school’s online degree programs is selective, too, with academic performance and potential among the considerations.
The 100% online degree in educational leadership requires completion of 36 credits with a two-year time-to-completion. Most of the online courses are offered in an eight-week format and allow students to deepen their knowledge of human resource management, finance, and law in education settings.
Students earn this online degree by completing 30 credits and meeting other degree requirements. This is an excellent master’s degree for current professionals looking for professional certification credentials in adapted physical education. Students learn advanced methods in creating, implementing, and evaluating individualized education plans for children with disabilities and their inclusion in general physical education classes.
Students choose from two concentrations—Mental Performance Coaching or Athletic Coaching—but must complete the 30-credit curriculum. The coursework emphasizes science-based coaching practices with practical applications in numerous sports and performing arts settings.
The interdisciplinary 30-credit curriculum enables students to develop their advanced skills in computer science, project management, and engineering, among others, while its executive format benefits working professionals. Students choose between a master’s degree thesis or electives.
Online learners must complete five required courses in the 30-credit curriculum and submit an approved master’s thesis. The five core areas of study are Aeroelasticity, Aerodynamics and Flight Mechanics, Aerospace Structures, Composite Materials, and Finite Element Analysis.
Current civil and environmental engineers thrive in the 30-credit master’s degree program that culminates in a thesis. Online learning is facilitated by credentialed professors with extensive work experience. Students choose from several concentrations: Environmental Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering, Structural Engineering, Transportation Engineering, or Water Resources.
The 30-credit master’s degree program emphasizes depth and breadth of knowledge in three core areas of computer science: Compiler Construction, Analysis of Algorithms, and Advances in Computing Seminar. This is a research-centric online program that culminates in a master’s thesis, and prospective students must hold a bachelor’s degree in computer science or another related field.
Students complete the rigorous 30-credit curriculum and a master’s thesis to earn the graduate degree. Courses cover core topics in computer engineering including software, algorithm, and compilers.
The 30-credit curriculum consists of 24 hours of didactic courses in mechanical engineering and six hours of master’s thesis preparation. Students must present and defend a master’s thesis in their area of interest.
The comprehensive 48-credit curriculum features courses relevant to contemporary nuclear engineering principles, and practices, such as nuclear materials, reactor design, and nuclear fuel cycles. This is also offered in a Master of Engineering in Nuclear Engineering format.
Tuition + fees
$16K
Acceptance
49%
Graduation
85%
Student body
26K
Median SAT/ACT
1300/29
Clemson University is also among the most prestigious universities and colleges in South Carolina offering exceptional online master’s degrees. The public land-grant research university offers online programs for working professionals through many of its colleges including the Powers College of Business.
The 30-credit MHRD program features an interdisciplinary curriculum with courses inspired by diverse disciplines, from systems design to education, sociology, and psychology. Students choose from three concentrations—Comprehensive Human Resource Development, Athletic Leadership, or Learning Leadership—but must complete 30 credits regardless of concentration. Courses include Organization Development, Foundations of HRD Leadership, and Instructional Systems Design.
Current practitioners and career changers are welcome to apply and earn the online MSPRM non-thesis degree. The 30-credit coursework, however, requires completion of a capstone course in addition to the seven core and two concentration courses. Students choose from four concentrations: Park and Conservation Area Management, Travel and Tourism, Community Recreation and Sport Management, or Recreational Therapy.
Touted as the first of its kind, the MTSA program trains students in the effective and efficient management of road safety programs and, thus, addresses the imperative need for competent road safety professionals. The 30-credit interdisciplinary curriculum emphasizes evidence-based strategies. This is a non-thesis program with a two-year time-to-degree.
Prospective students of the online MBA program must possess a bachelor’s degree and at least two years of professional work experience. The 36-credit curriculum was adapted from Clemson University’s respected corporate MBA curriculum. Students thrive, thanks to the extensive career planning services and networking opportunities, as well as a short-term international immersion experience.
The interdisciplinary 30-credit graduate degree program in data science and analytics features courses taken from the Department of Management & the School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences. Students must start their online degree with a summer bootcamp course and then choose between part-time and full-time matriculation.
Students benefit from the combination of live online classes that feature interactive learning experiences including group activities. This online degree requires completion of 39-42 credits depending on whether a student chooses a comprehensive exam or a capstone final research project.
The comprehensive coursework covers topics in public personnel administration, public financial management, and public policy process. Students choose from concentrations in Emergency Management, Homeland Defense and Security, Local and State Government, Non-Profit Management, or Regional Sustainability.
The 36-credit comprehensive curriculum features courses like Theories of Youth Development, Child and Adolescent Development, and Youth Development Programming in a Contemporary Society. This online degree is delivered in an accelerated format.
Current K-12 educators tackle advanced core pedagogical and specialization courses in the 30-credit curriculum; time-to-completion for this online degree can be in as few as 18 months. Students can choose from four specializations: STEAM, Instructional Coaching, Experiential Learning for Early Childhood, or Effective and Reflective Teaching.
There are 10 courses in the 30-credit curriculum for this online degree. Five courses cover core industrial engineering concepts and five courses focus on capital projects and supply chain applications. Featured courses include Foundations of Supply Chain and Logistics, Descriptive Analytics, and Prescriptive Analytics.
Students select between the thesis and non-thesis options for this online degree, both of which require completion of at least 30 credits of coursework. Graduates of the ACCE-accredited program are qualified to apply for admission to the PhD in Planning, Design, and the Built Environment (PDBE) program at Clemson, too.
Tuition + fees
$12K
Acceptance
79%
Graduation
51%
Student body
10K
Median SAT/ACT
1100/22
Coastal Carolina University is considered among the best online colleges in South Carolina, thanks partly to its world-class graduate programs. Online students in the national sea-grant institution use the Moodle online learning management system (LMS), as well as choose from graduate programs in its colleges including the AACSB-accredited E. Craig Wall, Sr. College of Business Administration, NCATE-accredited Spadoni College of Education, and ABET-accredited Department of Computer Science.
MBA students choose from concentrations in Healthcare Administration, Nonprofit Administration, Commercial and Investment Real Estate, or Coastal Marine Wetland Studies (i.e., a unique concentration that reflects its sea-grant institution status). The 30-credit curriculum features rigorous courses in Operations and Global Supply Chain Management, Financial Management, and Global Strategy, among others.
The 100% MSIST program can be completed in under two years and features a 33-credit curriculum with courses in Data-Driven Programming, Cybersecurity and Information Assurance, Networking and Cybersecurity, and more. Online students learn the theories and practical applications of information systems technology. Note that this is a cohort-based program with online students learning as a cohort and following a sequential coursework.
Licensed teachers on the career advancement path will benefit from earning the MEd in Special Education college degree! Online students choose from four concentrations: Emotional Disorders, Intellectual Disabilities, Specific Learning Disabilities, or Severe Disabilities. The core coursework strengthens the breadth and depth of knowledge with emphasis on instructional design and assessment, applied behavior analysis, and educational research.
Tuition + fees
$21K
Graduation
65%
Student body
3K
Bob Jones University, a private evangelical university, is undoubtedly among the most conservative online colleges in South Carolina. A Transnational Association of Christian Colleges & Schools- and SACSCOC-accredited institution, it imparts Christ-centered education in diverse disciplines including liberal arts, business, and education.
Online students explore music education and its history, theories, and applications in the 30-credit curriculum. Courses in this college degree include Early Childhood Music Education, Writing/Arranging School Ensembles, and Music Curriculum that prepare K-12 music teachers for leadership roles.
Online students benefit from the cutting-edge technology of BJU’s SCOPE in completing courses like Technology in Education, Assessment of Learning, and Research in Education. The online education program of study combines traditional topics in teaching and learning with contemporary issues like bullying, child abuse, and the changing dynamics in American families.
The 34-credit rigorous curriculum is unique in its inclusion of the Sex Abuse Prevention and Response Training course, a zero-credit course, along with for-credit courses on biblical introduction and theological studies, biblical counseling, and hermeneutics and sermon/lesson preparation. Graduates are well-versed in Christian doctrine that enable them to critique theories challenging the Scripture.
Tuition + fees
$13K
Acceptance
86%
Graduation
73%
Student body
4K
Median SAT/ACT
1120/23
The Citadel is among the best universities and online colleges in South Carolina because of its strong emphasis on academic excellence, military training, and leadership development. The public senior military college, one of the country’s only six senior military colleges, offers online master’s degrees for motivated working professionals seeking career advancement.
The AACSB-accredited program features a rigorous 36-credit curriculum with 11 courses and one capstone requirement. Courses include Accounting for Executives, Quantitative Methods for Operations Management, and Ethical Leadership and Organization Behavior, as well as free but compulsory Principled Leadership Seminar. Most of these online courses in this college degree are delivered in an accelerated and condensed format with a strong emphasis on classroom interactions.
The MSPM project has a 30-credit curriculum consisting of six required courses and four concentration courses. There’s a balance between the technical project management training and emphasis on principled leadership that characterizes The Citadel’s education.
Online students seeking this college degree need to complete the academic requirements for 36 credits in this rigorous curriculum that features courses in Homeland Security, Introduction to Intelligence, and Intelligence and Research and Analysis, among others. The MA in Intelligence and Security Studies emphasizes both theory and practice, as well as principled leadership in addressing the country’s national security issues.
Courses in the intensive 36-credit curriculum in this college degree includes International Politics, International Political Economy, and US Foreign Policy. Online students are then prepared for leadership positions in US federal government and military agencies as well as corporations and nonprofits concerned with international politics and military affairs. Soft skills in communication, critical thinking and principled leadership are emphasized.
Online students in the fully online 30-credit MA in Military History college degree gain the depth and breadth of knowledge about warfare , military forces, and the social impact of military activities.
Tuition + fees
$16K
Acceptance
64%
Graduation
58%
Student body
5K
Median SAT/ACT
1045/22
Winthrop University is among the best online colleges in South Carolina considered by the Carnegie Classification as “Master’s Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs”. This means its online master’s degree programs are among the best in the country due to their emphasis on academic rigor and excellence and exceptional graduate outcomes.
The master’s degree in Special Education Intervention program features a 30-credit, fully online program with two tracks from which licensed teachers choose from. The NCATE-accredited curriculum features 10 courses taught by among the best RTI and MTSS experts, and these courses cover topics in educational research and data-based individualization.
Online students in the masters’ degree in social work choose from two tracks depending on their bachelor’s degree. First, the 60-credit traditional program for students without a social work college degree and, second, the 36-credit advanced standing program for students with a social work bachelor’s degree. The CSWE-accredited program provides field placement assistance and boasts of excellent licensure exam pass rates.
Tuition + fees
$11K
Acceptance
86%
Graduation
43%
Student body
3K
Median SAT/ACT
1000/18
Francis Marion University, among the best online colleges in South Carolina, is a public university that offers master’s degree programs in business, education, and applied psychology. All these master’s degree programs have programmatic accreditation, feature credentialed professors with advanced degrees, and small class sizes.
Prospective online students of the MEd in Teaching and Learning program must possess a bachelor’s degree but may or may not be practicing educators. Time-to-completion is as few as 12 months while the courses include Solving Instructional Problems Using Technology, Assessment of Learning and Behavior, and Educational Research.
Other online programs offered by Francis Marion University include MAT in Multicategorical Special Education, MAT in Early Childhood, and MAT Elementary.
Tuition + fees
$11K
Acceptance
84%
Graduation
43%
Student body
3K
Median SAT/ACT
1060/20
The University of South Carolina Aiken, a constituent member of the University of South Carolina System, offers graduate degrees delivered via online education technologies. Online students and alumni agree that, indeed, it’s among the best online colleges in South Carolina because of its recognition as an excellent regional university. It has been ranked #1 more than 10 times by U.S. News & World Report in this category.
With its AACSB accreditation, considered the gold standard among management degree programs, the MBA online program can be completed in as few as ten months! The 30-credit intensive curriculum features courses in accounting, business strategy, and organizational behavior, and more. Students choose from concentrations in Accounting, Project Management, or Finance or choose the general track.
Online students must complete an approved program of study in the fully online program. The 36-credit online college degree allows students to choose from endorsement options but all students must complete an action research capstone project and make professional presentations.
Tuition + fees
$31K
Acceptance
50%
Graduation
64%
Student body
4K
Anderson University, a private Christian university with affiliations with the South Carolina Baptist Convention, offers several online master’s degree programs through its College of Business, College of Christian Studies, and College of Education.
The MOL program is considered a rigorous program that trains students in the multifaceted aspects of leadership. The 30-credit curriculum features leadership-centric courses in team empowerment, change management and its strategies, and effective communication. There’s a strong emphasis on leading with a Christian perspective and contemporary approaches, and the courses are in 7-week and 14-week formats.
Online students choose from concentrations in Human Resources, Digital Marketing, Supply Chain Management, or Healthcare Leadership. The 36-credit program features 7-week and 14-week courses in an accelerated format and includes a Six Sigma certification including in the tuition.
The 30-credit graduate program offers 7-week courses that can be completed in their entirety in 24 months, meaning it’s a suitable program for working professionals and practicing educators. Online students can align their program of study with their professional goals and develop their research skills through an original research study.
This online master’s college degree requires completion of 75 credits of an intensive curriculum that features courses in Christian theology, philosophy, and ethics as well as church history. Offered by the Clamp Divinity School, the program can be completed in three years and emphasizes a solid biblical foundation with contemporary applications in the everyday world. Students can also pursue the Youth Ministry concentration.
Tuition + fees
$20K
Acceptance
82%
Graduation
57%
Student body
1K
Median SAT/ACT
1100/18
Converse University, a private university, is among the best online colleges in South Carolina that admits both men and women into its graduate degree programs. Students imbibe the Converse motto of seeing clearly, deciding wisely, and acting justly while thriving in the inclusive and collaborative learning environment. Innovation, creativity, and transformation are words to live by, too.
The fully online MIM in Professional Leadership features a 30-credit rigorous curriculum that prepares students for career advancement opportunities in business and non-business settings. Featured courses include Leadership Theory and Identification, Legacies in Leadership Application, Current Issues in Leadership Application.
This is also a 30-credit master’s degree program where students learn the tools and techniques in gifted education, from learning assessments to curriculum development and instruction. The fully online courses have the same academic rigor as the on-campus program while allowing students to learn at their own schedule. Online students can complete their practicum at the Athena summer camp program.
Tuition + fees
$17K
Acceptance
62%
Graduation
51%
Student body
2K
Median SAT/ACT
940/17
Claflin University, a private historically black university, features undergraduate and graduate programs through its four schools in Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Humanities & Social Sciences, Business, and Education. With a track record in academic excellence, it’s among the best online colleges in South Carolina.
The ACBSP-accredited MBA online degree can be earned in as few as 18 months of intensive, accelerated full-time study. The rigorous business education means graduates are prepared for the challenges of leadership positions in business and non-business organizations. Value proposition, ethical leadership, and sustainable practices are at the core of the business administration program.
Both current practitioners in the criminal justice field and fresh graduates of bachelor’s degree programs are welcome to apply for admission into the respected master’s degree in criminal justice program. Courses in the 36-credit program are delivered in asynchronous online format with most completed in eight weeks. Examples include Criminal Justice Systems, Advanced Criminological Theory, and Statistical Analysis.
Students choose from two tracks, the Content Focus track with a comprehensive exam or the Research Focus track with a thesis requirement.
Tuition + fees
$29K
Acceptance
57%
Graduation
49%
Student body
3K
Median SAT/ACT
1080/21
Charleston Southern University, a private Baptist university with affiliation with the Southern Baptist Convention, promotes academic excellence set within a Christian environment.
The online MBA degree can be earned in 17-24 months of full-time study. Students must complete the academic requirements in the 30-credit curriculum that features courses in business ethics and law, advanced marketing management, and strategic planning and analysis.
This is an online college degree with a 24-month time-to-degree, on average. Students earn 30 credits in their completion of courses in Employee Training and Development, Human Resource Law and Ethics, and Employee Compensation and Benefits, and more. Courses are offered the whole year-round but courses are usually taken in sequential order.
Online students can earn the master’s degree in 12-26 months depending on their full-time or part-time matriculation. Courses in the 33-credit program include Network Penetration and Ethical Hacking, Advanced Network Security and Computer Networks, and Distributed Database Systems.
There’s a 20% first responders/public safety tuition discount that makes the master’s degree even more affordable. Online students can complete the 36-credit (non-thesis option) or 33-credit (thesis option) in as few as 18 months. Courses include Legal Issues in Criminal Justice, Theories of Criminal Behavior, and Human Trafficking.
Tuition + fees
$26K
Acceptance
57%
Graduation
52%
Student body
1K
Median SAT/ACT
1075/21
Southern Wesleyan University, a private Christian university, offers online degrees for working professionals interested in career advancement opportunities. The learning community emphasizes student success, Christian values, and transformation of lives.
Students tackle the 10-course curriculum over 20 months. The coursework emphasizes digital citizenship, safe use of technology, and accessibility in online learning.
The rigorous 60-credit curriculum features 7-week courses that can be completed in 24-30 months. Online students gain advanced knowledge of mental health counseling principles and practices with a Christian perspective.
Tuition + fees
$26K
Acceptance
46%
Graduation
62%
Student body
2K
Median SAT/ACT
1045/20
Columbia International University, a private Christian university, offers online degrees that are imbued with a strong Christian perspective. Graduate students are expected to uphold doctrinal affirmations, engage in Bible-centered professional development activities, and make a positive impact on their communities.
Students must complete the 30-credit curriculum with courses like History and Philosophy of Education, Understanding the Learner, and Curriculum Development and Instruction. The intensive coursework can be completed in as few as 15 months.
The 30-credit online master’s program can be completed in as few as ten months and features courses where students gain the knowledge and skills vital to working and serving in Muslim communities. Courses include History of Muslim-Christian Relations, Christian Approaches to Muslims, and Islamic Theology.
Tuition + fees
$21K
Acceptance
99%
Graduation
54%
Student body
1K
Median SAT/ACT
935/18
Columbia College, a private liberal arts college, only became a fully co-ed institution in 2020, with its first co-ed residential class starting in Fall 2021.
The one-year online MBA program offers Healthcare Administration, and Strategic Management and Leadership concentrations. Courses are offered conveniently and during the fall, spring, and summer terms. The 36-credit program allows up to six transfer credits for students with a bachelor’s degree in business administration.
The fully online master’s degree program can be completed in 12 months and features 7-week courses. Every spring and fall term, a new cohort starts classes. At least 30 semester hours must be completed to earn the master’s degree, and it includes a capstone project.
The 12-month online program prepares students for the challenging work of trauma-informed education. Students can also earn a certificate. The program features courses taken from the fields of education and social work.
Tuition + fees
$32K
Acceptance
98%
Graduation
37%
Student body
1K
Median SAT/ACT
1015/18
Coker University, a private university, is known for its Trans4mations Program for undergraduate students. While the graduate students aren’t included in it, their online programs are inspired by its principles, too.
The 30-credit program emphasizes three core areas: finances, legal, and communication, all for collegiate-level athletic administration.