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Best Schools in South Carolina

2023 Best Schools in South Carolina

39 Schools Ranked
$43,781 Average Earnings
$31,942 Avg Student Debt

There are lots of options to pick from today when trying to decide which program is right for you. You're no longer limited to schools in your local area, either, since online programs are becoming more prevalent. Also there are many trade schools and bpptcamp that offer short-term programs that open up more career options.

To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Course Advisor has developed this Best Schools in South Carolina ranking. This report analyzed 39 schools in South Carolina to see which ones offered the best programs for students.

View our full ranking methodology.

Top Schools in South Carolina

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

#1

Wofford College

Spartanburg, South Carolina
506 Total Awards
$41,052 Average Earnings
$58,648 Avg Student Debt

Our analysis found Wofford College to be the best school for students in South Carolina. Wofford is located in Spartanburg, South Carolina and has a small student population. In , this school awarded 506 degrees to qualified students.

On average, students take out $58,648 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Wofford, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $41,052 during the early years of their career.

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#2

Clemson University

Clemson, South Carolina
7,790 Total Awards
$53,834 Average Earnings
$48,588 Avg Student Debt

The excellent programs at Clemson University helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the best schools in South Carolina. Clemson is located in Clemson, South Carolina and has a large student population. In , this school awarded 7,790 degrees to qualified students.

Degree recipients from Clemson accumulate an average of $48,588 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Clemson, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $53,834 during the early years of their career.

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#3

Trident Technical College

Charleston, South Carolina
2,375 Total Awards
$50,166 Average Earnings
$17,850 Avg Student Debt

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Trident Technical College. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Schools in South Carolina list. Charleston, South Carolina is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 2,375 students in .

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,850 in student loans. During the early years of their career, Trident Technical College graduates make an average of $50,166 annually.

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#4

Furman University

Greenville, South Carolina
746 Total Awards
$36,520 Average Earnings
$46,255 Avg Student Debt

A rank of #4 on this year’s list means Furman University is a great place for students. Furman is located in Greenville, South Carolina and has a small student population. In , this school awarded 746 degrees to qualified students.

Degree recipients from Furman accumulate an average of $46,255 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Furman graduates make an average of $36,520 annually.

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#5

Citadel Military College of South Carolina

Charleston, South Carolina
1,178 Total Awards
$52,909 Average Earnings
$52,497 Avg Student Debt

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Citadel Military College of South Carolina. The school came in at #5 on this year’s Best Schools in South Carolina list. This small public school is located in Charleston, South Carolina, and it awarded 1,178 degrees in .

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $52,497 in student loans. During the early years of their career, The Citadel graduates make an average of $52,909 annually.

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#6

University of South Carolina - Columbia

Columbia, South Carolina
10,467 Total Awards
$54,087 Average Earnings
$44,306 Avg Student Debt

University of South Carolina - Columbia ranked #6 on this year’s Best Schools in South Carolina list. UofSC is a public institution located in Columbia, South Carolina. The school has a large population, and it awarded 10,467 degrees in .

On average, students take out $44,306 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from UofSC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $54,087 during the early years of their career.

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#7

College of Charleston

Charleston, South Carolina
2,391 Total Awards
$40,222 Average Earnings
$49,516 Avg Student Debt

College of Charleston came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Schools in South Carolina ranking. Charleston, South Carolina is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 2,391 students in .

Degree recipients from C of C accumulate an average of $49,516 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, C of C graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $40,222 during the early year of their career.

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#8

Columbia International University

Columbia, South Carolina
649 Total Awards
$32,296 Average Earnings

Columbia International University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students. It came in at #8 on the list. CIU is located in Columbia, South Carolina and has a small student population. In , this school awarded 649 degrees to qualified students.

Once they receive their degree, CIU graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $32,296 during the early year of their career.

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#9

Anderson University South Carolina

Anderson, South Carolina
1,002 Total Awards
$49,036 Average Earnings
$33,488 Avg Student Debt

Anderson University South Carolina landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best programs. Anderson University South Carolina is a small private not-for-profit school located in Anderson, South Carolina that handed out 1,002 degrees in .

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $33,488 in student loans. During the early years of their career, Anderson University South Carolina graduates make an average of $49,036 annually.

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#10

Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College

Orangeburg, South Carolina
600 Total Awards
$61,814 Average Earnings
$13,854 Avg Student Debt

Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students. It came in at #10 on the list. Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College is a small public school located in Orangeburg, South Carolina that handed out 600 degrees in .

On average, students take out $13,854 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, OCtech graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $61,814 during the early year of their career.

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#11

Southern Wesleyan University

Central, South Carolina
305 Total Awards
$43,539 Average Earnings
$21,439 Avg Student Debt

Southern Wesleyan University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Schools in South Carolina ranking. Southern Wesleyan University is a small private not-for-profit school located in Central, South Carolina that handed out 305 degrees in .

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $21,439 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, SWU graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $43,539 during the early year of their career.

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#12

Limestone College

Gaffney, South Carolina
521 Total Awards
$38,973 Average Earnings
$36,137 Avg Student Debt

Limestone College landed the #12 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best programs. Located in Gaffney, South Carolina, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 521 degrees in .

Degree recipients from Limestone College accumulate an average of $36,137 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Limestone College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $38,973 during the early year of their career.

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#13

Tri-County Technical College

Pendleton, South Carolina
2,687 Total Awards
$43,438 Average Earnings
$16,779 Avg Student Debt

Tri-County Technical College came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Schools in South Carolina ranking. This medium-sized public school is located in Pendleton, South Carolina, and it awarded 2,687 degrees in .

Degree recipients from TCTC accumulate an average of $16,779 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from TCTC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $43,438 during the early years of their career.

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#14

University of South Carolina - Upstate

Spartanburg, South Carolina
1,177 Total Awards
$39,473 Average Earnings
$21,932 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #14, University of South Carolina - Upstate did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working. USC Upstate is a small public school situated in Spartanburg, South Carolina. It awarded 1,177 degrees in .

On average, students take out $21,932 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, USC Upstate graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $39,473 during the early year of their career.

Full University of South Carolina - Upstate Report

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#15

University of South Carolina - Aiken

Aiken, South Carolina
815 Total Awards
$42,220 Average Earnings
$26,420 Avg Student Debt

University of South Carolina - Aiken ranked #15 on this year’s Best Schools in South Carolina list. UofSC Aiken is a small public school situated in Aiken, South Carolina. It awarded 815 degrees in .

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $26,420 in student loans.After graduating from UofSC Aiken, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $42,220 during the early years of their career.

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#16

North Greenville University

Tigerville, South Carolina
450 Total Awards
$42,864 Average Earnings
$24,215 Avg Student Debt

North Greenville University landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best programs. North Greenville is a private not-for-profit institution located in Tigerville, South Carolina. The school has a small population, and it awarded 450 degrees in .

Degree recipients from North Greenville accumulate an average of $24,215 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, North Greenville graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $42,864 during the early year of their career.

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#17

Greenville Technical College

Greenville, South Carolina
3,516 Total Awards
$42,177 Average Earnings
$19,902 Avg Student Debt

Greenville Technical College came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Schools in South Carolina ranking. Located in Greenville, South Carolina, the fairly large public school handed out 3,516 degrees in .

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $19,902 in student loans. During the early years of their career, GTC graduates make an average of $42,177 annually.

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#18

Winthrop University

Rock Hill, South Carolina
1,297 Total Awards
$39,378 Average Earnings
$31,794 Avg Student Debt

Winthrop University came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Schools in South Carolina ranking. Rock Hill, South Carolina is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 1,297 students in .

On average, students take out $31,794 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, Winthrop graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $39,378 during the early year of their career.

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#19

Newberry College

Newberry, South Carolina
225 Total Awards
$43,702 Average Earnings
$33,190 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #19, Newberry College did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working. Newberry College is a small private not-for-profit school located in Newberry, South Carolina that handed out 225 degrees in .

Degree recipients from Newberry College accumulate an average of $33,190 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Newberry College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $43,702 during the early year of their career.

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#20

University of South Carolina - Beaufort

Bluffton, South Carolina
389 Total Awards
$38,255 Average Earnings
$25,312 Avg Student Debt

University of South Carolina - Beaufort landed the #20 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best programs. USCB is a public institution located in Bluffton, South Carolina. The school has a small population, and it awarded 389 degrees in .

On average, students take out $25,312 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, USCB graduates make an average of $38,255 annually.

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#21

Spartanburg Community College

Spartanburg, South Carolina
1,286 Total Awards
$41,598 Average Earnings
$9,848 Avg Student Debt

Spartanburg Community College came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Schools in South Carolina ranking. Spartanburg Community College is a medium-sized public school situated in Spartanburg, South Carolina. It awarded 1,286 degrees in .

On average, students take out $9,848 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Spartanburg Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $41,598 during the early years of their career.

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#22

Coastal Carolina University

Conway, South Carolina
2,171 Total Awards
$38,272 Average Earnings
$49,875 Avg Student Debt

Coastal Carolina University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students. It came in at #22 on the list. Coastal Carolina University is a fairly large public school situated in Conway, South Carolina. It awarded 2,171 degrees in .

Degree recipients from Coastal Carolina University accumulate an average of $49,875 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Coastal Carolina University, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $38,272 during the early years of their career.

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#23

Midlands Technical College

West Columbia, South Carolina
1,647 Total Awards
$39,610 Average Earnings
$15,669 Avg Student Debt

Midlands Technical College ranked #23 on this year’s Best Schools in South Carolina list. Midlands Technical College is a medium-sized public school located in West Columbia, South Carolina that handed out 1,647 degrees in .

Degree recipients from MTC accumulate an average of $15,669 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, MTC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $39,610 during the early year of their career.

Full Midlands Technical College Report

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#24

Lander University

Greenwood, South Carolina
826 Total Awards
$37,548 Average Earnings
$22,774 Avg Student Debt

Lander University came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Schools in South Carolina ranking. Lander University is a small public school located in Greenwood, South Carolina that handed out 826 degrees in .

On average, students take out $22,774 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, Lander University graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $37,548 during the early year of their career.

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#25

Charleston Southern University

Charleston, South Carolina
723 Total Awards
$46,288 Average Earnings
$25,223 Avg Student Debt

Charleston Southern University came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Schools in South Carolina ranking. CSU is located in Charleston, South Carolina and has a small student population. In , this school awarded 723 degrees to qualified students.

On average, students take out $25,223 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, CSU graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $46,288 during the early year of their career.

Full Charleston Southern University Report

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Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.

References

  • Read more about our ranking methodology.
  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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