2026 Best Value Science & Tech Schools in South Carolina
Looking for the best-value Science & Tech degree programs in South Carolina? Our ranking highlights 90 institutions by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Each school below is scored on factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
To help you make your decision, Course Advisor reviewed 39 schools to build this 2026 value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Best-Value Science & Tech Degree Schools in South Carolina
Explore the best-value schools below:
Our analysis found Trident Technical College to be the best-value Science & Tech school in South Carolina. Located in Charleston, SC, Trident Technical College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,546 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,620. Typical Science & Tech student debt is $18,116. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $38,253. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Get the full Trident Technical College report
Out of the 39 schools in South Carolina in this year's value ranking, Greenville Technical College landed the #2 spot. Set in Greenville, SC, Greenville Technical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,495, while out-of-state students pay about $10,775. Graduates carry a median of $16,411 in student loans. Greenville Technical College alumni report median earnings of $39,473 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $16,411 median debt. Read more about Greenville Technical College
A rank of #3 makes Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College one of the best values in South Carolina. Located in Orangeburg, SC, Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,210 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,354. Graduates carry a median of $18,583 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $35,761. That is a strong return on a $18,583 median debt. Read more about Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College
Tri County Technical College came in at #4 on this year's best-value Science & Tech ranking in South Carolina. Based in Pendleton, SC, Tri County Technical College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,448 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,007. The median Science & Tech program debt is $15,787. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $40,101. Set against $15,787 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Get the full Tri County Technical College report
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florence Darlington Technical College earned it the #5 place in South Carolina. This public school is set in Florence, SC. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,636, while out-of-state students pay about $6,772. The median Science & Tech program debt is $7,230. Median earnings reach $32,748 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $7,230 median debt. Read the full report on Florence Darlington Technical College
Aiken Technical College offered strong value this year, earning the #6 position. Aiken Technical College is a public school based in Graniteville, SC. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,174, with out-of-state students paying around $7,924. The median Science & Tech program debt is $17,884. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $39,225. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Get the full Aiken Technical College report
Midlands Technical College offered strong value this year, earning the #7 position. Midlands Technical College is a public school based in West Columbia, SC. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,100, with out-of-state students paying around $14,700. Students borrow a median of $17,611 to complete their Science & Tech program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $38,701. That is a strong return on a $17,611 median debt. More on Midlands Technical College
Spartanburg Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best-value Science & Tech schools. This public school is set in Spartanburg, SC. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,071, with out-of-state students paying around $10,135. Students borrow a median of $10,148 to complete their Science & Tech program here. Spartanburg Community College alumni report median earnings of $37,097 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $10,148 median debt. Read the full report on Spartanburg Community College
York Technical College landed the #9 spot for value in South Carolina this year. Located in Rock Hill, SC, York Technical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,036, while out-of-state students pay about $13,340. Students borrow a median of $10,907 to complete their Science & Tech program here. Median earnings reach $37,257 ten years out. Set against $10,907 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read the full report on York Technical College
Horry Georgetown Technical College offered strong value this year, earning the #10 position. Set in Conway, SC, Horry Georgetown Technical College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,518, compared with $10,978 for out-of-state students. Typical Science & Tech student debt is $19,172. Horry Georgetown Technical College alumni report median earnings of $35,507 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. See the full Horry Georgetown Technical College profile
Piedmont Technical College offered strong value this year, earning the #11 position. This public school is set in Greenwood, SC. In-state tuition and fees average $4,775, compared with $6,923 for out-of-state students. Typical Science & Tech student debt is $17,652. Piedmont Technical College alumni report median earnings of $35,768 a decade after entry. Set against $17,652 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. See the full Piedmont Technical College profile
Central Carolina Technical College offered strong value this year, earning the #12 position. Set in Sumter, SC, Central Carolina Technical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,715, compared with $9,016 for out-of-state students. The median Science & Tech program debt is $15,750. Graduates go on to earn a median of $32,603 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Get the full Central Carolina Technical College report
Citadel Military College Of South Carolina ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best-value Science & Tech schools. Set in Charleston, SC, Citadel Military College Of South Carolina is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,570, while out-of-state students pay about $38,508. Typical Science & Tech student debt is $24,305. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $72,085. Set against $24,305 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Citadel Military College Of South Carolina admits about 23% of applicants. Get the full Citadel Military College Of South Carolina report
Clemson University came in at #14 in this year's value ranking. Based in Clemson, SC, Clemson University is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,554, compared with $40,866 for out-of-state students. The median Science & Tech program debt is $23,783. Clemson University alumni report median earnings of $71,513 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $23,783 median debt. About 38% of those who apply are admitted. See the full Clemson University profile
University Of South Carolina Columbia placed #15 among the best-value Science & Tech schools in South Carolina. Based in Columbia, SC, University Of South Carolina Columbia is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,688 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $36,298. Students borrow a median of $24,472 to complete their Science & Tech program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $62,177. Set against $24,472 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of South Carolina Columbia admits about 60% of applicants. Get the full University Of South Carolina Columbia report
University Of South Carolina Aiken landed the #16 spot for value in South Carolina this year. This public school is set in Aiken, SC. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,760, compared with $21,218 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $27,011 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $45,603. That is a strong return on a $27,011 median debt. University Of South Carolina Aiken admits about 78% of applicants. Read the full report on University Of South Carolina Aiken
University Of South Carolina Beaufort landed the #17 spot for value in South Carolina this year. University Of South Carolina Beaufort is a public school based in Bluffton, SC. Students from in state pay about $10,730 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,776. University Of South Carolina Beaufort Science & Tech students take on a median of $27,971 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $48,088. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%. Read the full report on University Of South Carolina Beaufort
University Of South Carolina Upstate offered strong value this year, earning the #18 position. Based in Spartanburg, SC, University Of South Carolina Upstate is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,588, with out-of-state students paying around $23,090. University Of South Carolina Upstate Science & Tech students take on a median of $28,000 in debt. Median earnings reach $48,587 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $28,000 median debt. About 67% of those who apply are admitted. More on University Of South Carolina Upstate
College Of Charleston came in at #19 in this year's value ranking. College Of Charleston is a public school based in Charleston, SC. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,978, with out-of-state students paying around $38,296. College Of Charleston Science & Tech students take on a median of $24,733 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $56,416. Set against $24,733 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. College Of Charleston admits about 60% of applicants. More on College Of Charleston
Coastal Carolina University landed the #20 spot for value in South Carolina this year. Based in Conway, SC, Coastal Carolina University is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,640 in tuition and fees, compared with $29,628 for out-of-state students. Coastal Carolina University Science & Tech students take on a median of $27,174 in debt. Median earnings reach $47,258 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 75% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on Coastal Carolina University
Lander University landed the #21 spot for value in South Carolina this year. Based in Greenwood, SC, Lander University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,700, with out-of-state students paying around $21,300. Typical Science & Tech student debt is $26,064. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,396. Set against $26,064 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Lander University has an acceptance rate of 81%. Get the full Lander University report
Charleston Southern University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best-value Science & Tech schools. Based in Charleston, SC, Charleston Southern University is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $32,520. Students borrow a median of $27,569 to complete their Science & Tech program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $45,898 ten years after entry. Set against $27,569 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 96% of those who apply are admitted. More on Charleston Southern University
Francis Marion University came in at #23 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Florence, SC. Students from in state pay about $11,170 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,544. Students borrow a median of $30,577 to complete their Science & Tech program here. Francis Marion University alumni report median earnings of $43,888 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $30,577 median debt. Francis Marion University has an acceptance rate of 86%. Read the full report on Francis Marion University
Columbia International University placed #24 among the best-value Science & Tech schools in South Carolina. Columbia International University is a private not-for-profit school based in Columbia, SC. In-state tuition and fees run about $27,900. Columbia International University Science & Tech students take on a median of $21,667 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $38,951. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Columbia International University has an acceptance rate of 94%. Read the full report on Columbia International University
Converse College came in at #25 in this year's value ranking. Based in Spartanburg, SC, Converse College is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,240. Graduates carry a median of $26,715 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $40,867. Set against $26,715 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 68% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full Converse College report
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Science & Tech Degree Schools in South Carolina
These schools also delivered strong value this year:
Columbia College South Carolina came in at #26 in this year's value ranking. Set in Columbia, SC, Columbia College South Carolina is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $20,054. Students borrow a median of $28,158 to complete their Science & Tech program here. Columbia College South Carolina alumni report median earnings of $41,338 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on Columbia College South Carolina
Winthrop University offered strong value this year, earning the #27 position. Located in Rock Hill, SC, Winthrop University is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,678, with out-of-state students paying around $28,676. Students borrow a median of $27,040 to complete their Science & Tech program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $47,185 ten years after entry. Set against $27,040 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Winthrop University admits about 79% of applicants. See the full Winthrop University profile
South Carolina State University came in at #28 in this year's value ranking. Based in Orangeburg, SC, South Carolina State University is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,060 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,750. The median Science & Tech program debt is $31,740. Graduates go on to earn a median of $38,262 ten years after entry. Set against $31,740 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. South Carolina State University admits about 83% of applicants. See the full South Carolina State University profile
Southern Wesleyan University placed #29 among the best-value Science & Tech schools in South Carolina. Set in Central, SC, Southern Wesleyan University is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $29,800. Graduates carry a median of $31,554 in student loans. Median earnings reach $47,756 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted. See the full Southern Wesleyan University profile
Anderson University Sc landed the #30 spot for value in South Carolina this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Anderson, SC. Students from in state pay about $34,970 in tuition and fees. Anderson University Sc Science & Tech students take on a median of $28,034 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $42,101. That is a strong return on a $28,034 median debt. Anderson University Sc admits about 55% of applicants. See the full Anderson University Sc profile
South University Columbia offered strong value this year, earning the #31 position. Located in Columbia, SC, South University Columbia is a private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $17,895 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $48,920 in student loans. South University Columbia alumni report median earnings of $34,421 a decade after entry. Set against $48,920 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Get the full South University Columbia report
North Greenville University ranked #32 on our 2026 list of the best-value Science & Tech schools. Based in Tigerville, SC, North Greenville University is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $25,800. Typical Science & Tech student debt is $24,128. North Greenville University alumni report median earnings of $43,035 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. North Greenville University admits about 67% of applicants. Read the full report on North Greenville University
Bob Jones University ranked #33 on our 2026 list of the best-value Science & Tech schools. Set in Greenville, SC, Bob Jones University is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $22,892. Graduates carry a median of $20,497 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $44,354. That is a strong return on a $20,497 median debt. Get the full Bob Jones University report
Claflin University offered strong value this year, earning the #34 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Orangeburg, SC. Students from in state pay about $17,046 in tuition and fees. Claflin University Science & Tech students take on a median of $32,111 in debt. Claflin University alumni report median earnings of $40,304 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $32,111 median debt. About 65% of those who apply are admitted. See the full Claflin University profile
Limestone College came in at #35 in this year's value ranking. Limestone College is a private not-for-profit school based in Gaffney, SC. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,800. Graduates carry a median of $34,945 in student loans. Median earnings reach $44,999 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted. Get the full Limestone College report
Newberry College came in at #36 in this year's value ranking. Located in Newberry, SC, Newberry College is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $31,100. Students borrow a median of $27,729 to complete their Science & Tech program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $48,040. That is a strong return on a $27,729 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%. See the full Newberry College profile
Furman University came in at #37 in this year's value ranking. Located in Greenville, SC, Furman University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $59,770 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $23,764 in student loans. Median earnings reach $68,635 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $23,764 median debt. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on Furman University
Wofford College came in at #38 in this year's value ranking. Wofford College is a private not-for-profit school based in Spartanburg, SC. In-state tuition and fees run about $56,005. Wofford College Science & Tech students take on a median of $24,643 in debt. Median earnings reach $68,964 ten years out. Set against $24,643 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Wofford College has an acceptance rate of 52%. More on Wofford College
Coker College placed #38 among the best-value Science & Tech schools in South Carolina. Coker College is a private not-for-profit school based in Hartsville, SC. In-state tuition and fees run about $33,416. The median Science & Tech program debt is $29,362. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $40,117. That is a strong return on a $29,362 median debt. Coker College admits about 94% of applicants. Read the full report on Coker College
Charzanne Beauty College came in at #40 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Charzanne Beauty College report
Vski Cosmetology School placed #41 among the best-value Science & Tech schools in South Carolina. More on Vski Cosmetology School
Benedict College
Benedict College placed #42 among the best-value Science & Tech schools in South Carolina. More on Benedict College
Kenneth Shuler School Of Cosmetology Greenville came in at #43 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Kenneth Shuler School Of Cosmetology Greenville report
Williamsburg Technical College came in at #44 in this year's value ranking. More on Williamsburg Technical College
Kenneth Shuler School Of Cosmetology North Augusta offered strong value this year, earning the #45 position. Read more about Kenneth Shuler School Of Cosmetology North Augusta
Barber Tech Academy came in at #46 in this year's value ranking. See the full Barber Tech Academy profile
Kenneth Shuler School Of Cosmetology Goose Creek placed #47 among the best-value Science & Tech schools in South Carolina. Read the full report on Kenneth Shuler School Of Cosmetology Goose Creek
Personal Touch Beauty And Barber College offered strong value this year, earning the #48 position. Read the full report on Personal Touch Beauty And Barber College
Spartanburg Methodist College landed the #49 spot for value in South Carolina this year. Read the full report on Spartanburg Methodist College
Charleston Cosmetology Institute came in at #50 in this year's value ranking. More on Charleston Cosmetology Institute
More Science & Tech Value Rankings
Ranking Methodology & Notes
These rankings are produced by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Rankings consider the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment — drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Best Colleges For Money · Scope: State · 39 schools evaluated. *Averages shown above reflect the top 90 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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