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Best Schools in South Carolina

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2023 Best Schools in South Carolina

39 Schools Ranked
$37,273 Average Earnings
$23,819 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
$33,602 Average Earnings
$19,282 Avg Student Debt

Our analysis found Wofford College to be the best school for students in South Carolina.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $19,282 in student loans.After graduating from Wofford, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $33,602 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on Wofford College

#2

Clemson University

Clemson, South Carolina
$47,889 Average Earnings
$22,627 Avg Student Debt

Out of the 39 schools in South Carolina that were part of this year’s ranking, Clemson University landed the # 2 spot on the list.

Degree recipients from Clemson accumulate an average of $22,627 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $375, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Clemson graduates make an average of $47,889 annually.

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#3

Trident Technical College

Charleston, South Carolina
$33,465 Average Earnings
$23,521 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.

Degree recipients from Trident Technical College accumulate an average of $23,521 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Trident Technical College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $33,465 during the early years of their career.

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#4

Furman University

Greenville, South Carolina
$34,902 Average Earnings
$21,956 Avg Student Debt

A rank of #4 on this year’s list means Furman University is a great place for students.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $21,956 in student loans.After graduating from Furman, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $34,902 during the early years of their career.

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#5

Citadel Military College of South Carolina

Charleston, South Carolina
$46,152 Average Earnings
$23,253 Avg Student Debt

Out of the 39 schools in South Carolina that were part of this year’s ranking, Citadel Military College of South Carolina landed the # 5 spot on the list.

On average, students take out $23,253 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $501 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, The Citadel graduates make an average of $46,152 annually.

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#6

University of South Carolina - Columbia

Columbia, South Carolina
$47,342 Average Earnings
$23,887 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #6, University of South Carolina - Columbia did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $23,887 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $403. During the early years of their career, UofSC graduates make an average of $47,342 annually.

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#7

College of Charleston

Charleston, South Carolina
$34,688 Average Earnings
$23,966 Avg Student Debt

College of Charleston landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best programs.

On average, students take out $23,966 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $409, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, C of C graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $34,688 during the early year of their career.

Full College of Charleston Report

#8

Columbia International University

Columbia, South Carolina
$27,420 Average Earnings
$21,321 Avg Student Debt

Columbia International University came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Schools in South Carolina ranking.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $21,321 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $168, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, CIU graduates make an average of $27,420 annually.

Read full report on Columbia International University

#9

Anderson University South Carolina

Anderson, South Carolina
$40,621 Average Earnings
$27,992 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #9, Anderson University South Carolina did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working.

On average, students take out $27,992 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $343. During the early years of their career, Anderson University South Carolina graduates make an average of $40,621 annually.

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#10

Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College

Orangeburg, South Carolina
$43,665 Average Earnings
$17,389 Avg Student Debt

Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College ranked #10 on this year’s Best Schools in South Carolina list.

Degree recipients from OCtech accumulate an average of $17,389 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from OCtech, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $43,665 during the early years of their career.

Full Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College Report

#11

Southern Wesleyan University

Central, South Carolina
$39,672 Average Earnings
$35,319 Avg Student Debt

Southern Wesleyan University ranked #11 on this year’s Best Schools in South Carolina list.

On average, students take out $35,319 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from SWU, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $39,672 during the early years of their career.

Full Southern Wesleyan University Report

#12

Limestone College

Gaffney, South Carolina
$36,451 Average Earnings
$34,601 Avg Student Debt

Limestone College came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Schools in South Carolina ranking.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $34,601 in student loans.After graduating from Limestone College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $36,451 during the early years of their career.

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#13

Tri-County Technical College

Pendleton, South Carolina
$34,761 Average Earnings
$14,532 Avg Student Debt

Tri-County Technical College came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Schools in South Carolina ranking.

On average, students take out $14,532 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, TCTC graduates make an average of $34,761 annually.

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#14

University of South Carolina - Upstate

Spartanburg, South Carolina
$35,146 Average Earnings
$28,943 Avg Student Debt

University of South Carolina - Upstate came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Schools in South Carolina ranking.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $28,943 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $139, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from USC Upstate, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $35,146 during the early years of their career.

Full University of South Carolina - Upstate Report

#15

University of South Carolina - Aiken

Aiken, South Carolina
$30,542 Average Earnings
$28,762 Avg Student Debt

University of South Carolina - Aiken did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students. It came in at #15 on the list.

Degree recipients from UofSC Aiken accumulate an average of $28,762 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $208, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from UofSC Aiken, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $30,542 during the early years of their career.

Full University of South Carolina - Aiken Report

#16

North Greenville University

Tigerville, South Carolina
$32,605 Average Earnings
$21,372 Avg Student Debt

North Greenville University ranked #16 on this year’s Best Schools in South Carolina list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $21,372 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $258. During the early years of their career, North Greenville graduates make an average of $32,605 annually.

Full North Greenville University Report

#17

Greenville Technical College

Greenville, South Carolina
$36,132 Average Earnings
$20,734 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #17, Greenville Technical College did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $20,734 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, GTC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $36,132 during the early year of their career.

Full Greenville Technical College Report

#18

Winthrop University

Rock Hill, South Carolina
$31,689 Average Earnings
$26,679 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #18, Winthrop University did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $26,679 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $267. During the early years of their career, Winthrop graduates make an average of $31,689 annually.

Read full report on Winthrop University

#19

Newberry College

Newberry, South Carolina
$33,587 Average Earnings
$30,105 Avg Student Debt

Newberry College ranked #19 on this year’s Best Schools in South Carolina list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $30,105 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $236, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Newberry College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $33,587 during the early year of their career.

Full Newberry College Report

#20

University of South Carolina - Beaufort

Bluffton, South Carolina
$35,331 Average Earnings
$29,735 Avg Student Debt

University of South Carolina - Beaufort landed the #20 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best programs.

On average, students take out $29,735 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from USCB, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $35,331 during the early years of their career.

Full University of South Carolina - Beaufort Report

#21

Spartanburg Community College

Spartanburg, South Carolina
$35,952 Average Earnings
$12,497 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #21, Spartanburg Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working.

On average, students take out $12,497 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Spartanburg Community College graduates make an average of $35,952 annually.

Read More…

#22

Coastal Carolina University

Conway, South Carolina
$33,500 Average Earnings
$27,362 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.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $27,362 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $395 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Coastal Carolina University, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $33,500 during the early years of their career.

Read More…

#23

Midlands Technical College

West Columbia, South Carolina
$34,029 Average Earnings
$19,195 Avg Student Debt

Midlands Technical College came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Schools in South Carolina ranking.

On average, students take out $19,195 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $103, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from MTC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $34,029 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on Midlands Technical College

#24

Lander University

Greenwood, South Carolina
$32,703 Average Earnings
$26,468 Avg Student Debt

Lander University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students. It came in at #24 on the list.

Degree recipients from Lander University accumulate an average of $26,468 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $199. During the early years of their career, Lander University graduates make an average of $32,703 annually.

Read full report on Lander University

#25

Charleston Southern University

Charleston, South Carolina
$37,960 Average Earnings
$28,719 Avg Student Debt

Charleston Southern University ranked #25 on this year’s Best Schools in South Carolina list.

On average, students take out $28,719 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $160 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from CSU, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $37,960 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on Charleston Southern University

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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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