2023 Best Value Schools in South Carolina
Identifying High-Quality Schools With More Affordable Pricing
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. Or you may find the programs at a trade school or bootcamp to be a better alternative for you.
To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Course Advisor has developed this Best Value Schools in South Carolina ranking. Our analysis looked at 39 schools in South Carolina to see which programs offered the best value experiences for students with the aim of identifying those quality schools that are more affordable than some of their counterparts.
When determining this ranking, we place a high emphasis on the school's quality as well as its sticker price. Even though a college may be affordable, it may not offer value. More specifically, we discount our quality score by the published tuition and fees charged by a school. This gives the cost per unit of quality for each college. The value is determined by how much quality your dollar buys.
Our calculations use out-of-state tuition and fees in our nationwide and regional rankings. Average in-state tuition and fees are used for our statewide rankings.
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Top Value Schools in South Carolina
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our analysis found Trident Technical College to be the best value school for students in South Carolina. Trident Technical College is a fairly large public school situated in Charleston, South Carolina. It awarded 2,180 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Trident Technical College are $8,690 per year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $23,521 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Trident Technical College graduates make an average of $33,465 annually.
Trident Technical College not only placed well in our value ranking, but it is also #3 on our Best Schools in South Carolina list.
The excellent programs at Greenville Technical College helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the best value schools in South Carolina. GTC is located in Greenville, South Carolina and has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 2,011 degrees to qualified students.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at GTC are $9,410 per year. 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.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Schools in South Carolina list. Orangeburg, South Carolina is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 718 students in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at OCtech are $7,490 a year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,389 in student loans.After graduating from OCtech, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $43,665 during the early years of their career.
A rank of #4 on this year’s list means Tri-County Technical College is a great place for students who want to get the most value for their educational dollar. TCTC is a public institution located in Pendleton, South Carolina. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 2,542 degrees in 2020-2021.
TCTC undergraduate students pay an average of $10,304 in tuition and fees each year. On average, students take out $14,532 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, TCTC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $34,761 during the early year of their career.
The excellent programs at Florence-Darlington Technical College helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the best value schools in South Carolina. Florence-Darlington Technical College is a small public school located in Florence, South Carolina that handed out 615 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Florence-Darlington Technical College are $6,742 a year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $20,272 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, Florence-Darlington Technical College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $35,017 during the early year of their career.
Aiken Technical College ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Schools in South Carolina list. Graniteville, South Carolina is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 365 students in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Aiken Technical College are $6,880 per year. On average, students take out $18,576 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, Aiken Technical College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $41,685 during the early year of their career.
Midlands Technical College came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Schools in South Carolina ranking. West Columbia, South Carolina is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 1,802 students in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at MTC are $13,812 per year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $19,195 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $103. Once they receive their degree, MTC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $34,029 during the early year of their career.
Spartanburg Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for students. It came in at #8 on the list. Spartanburg Community College is a medium-sized public school situated in Spartanburg, South Carolina. It awarded 935 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Spartanburg Community College are $9,822 a year. On average, students take out $12,497 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Spartanburg Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $35,952 during the early years of their career.
York Technical College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for students. It came in at #9 on the list. York Technical College is located in Rock Hill, South Carolina and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,461 degrees to qualified students.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at York Technical College are $10,354 per year. On average, students take out $14,369 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, York Technical College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $34,715 during the early year of their career.
Horry-Georgetown Technical College landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value programs. This medium-sized public school is located in Conway, South Carolina, and it awarded 1,583 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Horry-Georgetown Technical College are $8,593 per year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $20,687 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Horry-Georgetown Technical College graduates make an average of $31,926 annually.
Piedmont Technical College ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Schools in South Carolina list. Piedmont Technical College is a small public school situated in Greenwood, South Carolina. It awarded 2,032 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Piedmont Technical College are $6,593 a year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $20,831 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Piedmont Technical College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $32,435 during the early years of their career.
Central Carolina Technical College came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Schools in South Carolina ranking. Central Carolina is located in Sumter, South Carolina and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 594 degrees to qualified students.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Central Carolina are $9,016 a year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $18,612 in student loans. During the early years of their career, Central Carolina graduates make an average of $32,123 annually.
Citadel Military College of South Carolina landed the #13 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value programs. Citadel Military College of South Carolina is a small public school located in Charleston, South Carolina that handed out 1,074 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at The Citadel are $35,826 a year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $23,253 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $501. During the early years of their career, The Citadel graduates make an average of $46,152 annually.
The Citadel also took the #5 spot in our Best Schools in South Carolina rankings.
Read full report on Citadel Military College of South Carolina
Clemson University landed the #14 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value programs. Clemson is a public institution located in Clemson, South Carolina. The school has a large population, and it awarded 7,601 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Clemson are $38,550 a year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $22,627 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $375. During the early years of their career, Clemson graduates make an average of $47,889 annually.
In addition to its best value ranking, and one of the reasons why the school is on the list, Clemson is ranked #2 for overall quality in South Carolina.
University of South Carolina - Columbia landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value programs. UofSC is a public institution located in Columbia, South Carolina. The school has a large population, and it awarded 10,191 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at UofSC are $33,928 per year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $23,887 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $403 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, UofSC graduates make an average of $47,342 annually.
UofSC also claimed a spot on our Best Schools in South Carolina list. It’s in the top 15% of all schools in this category.
University of South Carolina - Aiken came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Schools in South Carolina ranking. UofSC Aiken is a small public school situated in Aiken, South Carolina. It awarded 716 degrees in 2020-2021.
UofSC Aiken undergraduate students pay an average of $21,218 in tuition and fees each year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $28,762 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 $208. Once they receive their degree, UofSC Aiken graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $30,542 during the early year of their career.
University of South Carolina - Beaufort ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Schools in South Carolina list. Located in Bluffton, South Carolina, the small public school awarded 408 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
USCB undergraduate students pay an average of $21,776 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $29,735 in student loans.After graduating from USCB, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $35,331 during the early years of their career.
University of South Carolina - Upstate came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Schools in South Carolina ranking. USC Upstate is a public institution located in Spartanburg, South Carolina. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 1,248 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at USC Upstate are $23,085 a year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $28,943 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $139 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, USC Upstate graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $35,146 during the early year of their career.
College of Charleston landed the #19 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value programs. College of Charleston is a fairly large public school located in Charleston, South Carolina that handed out 2,417 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at C of C are $34,438 per year. On average, students take out $23,966 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $409 if they 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.
In addition to its great value ranking, C of C is in the top 20% of all schools on our Best Schools in South Carolina list.
Coastal Carolina University ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Schools in South Carolina list. Located in Conway, South Carolina, the fairly large public school handed out 2,203 degrees in 2020-2021.
Coastal Carolina University undergraduate students pay an average of $27,394 in tuition and fees each year. 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. Once they receive their degree, Coastal Carolina University graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $33,500 during the early year of their career.
Lander University came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Schools in South Carolina ranking. Located in Greenwood, South Carolina, the small public school awarded 584 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
Lander University undergraduate students pay an average of $21,300 in tuition and fees each year. On average, students take out $26,468 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $199 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Lander University, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $32,703 during the early years of their career.
Charleston Southern University landed the #22 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value programs. CSU is a private not-for-profit institution located in Charleston, South Carolina. The school has a small population, and it awarded 724 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at CSU are $28,960 per year. On average, students take out $28,719 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $160, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, CSU graduates make an average of $37,960 annually.
Francis Marion University ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Schools in South Carolina list. Located in Florence, South Carolina, the small public school handed out 788 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Francis Marion University are $21,544 per year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $29,728 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $175 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Francis Marion University graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $37,287 during the early year of their career.
Columbia International University ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Schools in South Carolina list. CIU is a private not-for-profit institution located in Columbia, South Carolina. The school has a small population, and it awarded 456 degrees in 2020-2021.
CIU undergraduate students pay an average of $25,590 in tuition and fees each year. On average, students take out $21,321 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $168. During the early years of their career, CIU graduates make an average of $27,420 annually.
On top of its placing in our value ranking, CIU also did well on our Best Schools in South Carolina list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.
Converse College landed the #25 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value programs. Located in Spartanburg, South Carolina, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 374 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Converse are $19,850 per year. On average, students take out $25,647 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, Converse graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $28,782 during the early year of their career.
Best Value Schools in the Southeast Region
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Notes and References
Footnotes
*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.
References
- 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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