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2022 Best Colleges in South Carolina

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Furman University

#145 SOUTH CAROLINA

Furman University is a small private liberal arts college located in Greenville, SC ranked 145th in the US. It has a total of 2,828 full-time undergraduate students and is not very competitive, accepting 56.81% of applicants. Furman University offers 66 different majors and is best known for its Chinese Studies, Sustainability Studies, and Music Teacher Education programs (nationally ranked 2nd, 13th, and 19th respectively). With an annual tuition of $50,464 per year, Furman University is very costly. 72.6% of students graduate beginning the next chapter of their lives, employment. After college, alumni go on to make more or less $51,200 per year, which is 23% over the national median.

Greenville, SC

www.furman.edu

A

Rating

57%

Acceptance

3,143

Students

#145

Ranking

$50,464

Tuition

Clemson University

#149 SOUTH CAROLINA

Clemson University is a very large public university located in Clemson, SC ranked 149th in the US. It has a total of 21,504 full-time undergraduate students and is not very competitive, accepting 51.26% of applicants. Clemson University offers 249 different majors and is best known for its Science Teacher Education, Food Science, and Agricultural Production Operations programs (nationally ranked 3rd, 5th, and 5th respectively). With an annual tuition of $14,118 for in-state students and $37,110 for those from out-of-state, Clemson University is rather high-priced. 75.17% of students graduate moving on to the next stage of their lives, joining the labor force. After finishing their studies, alumni go on to earn around $52,400 per year, which is 26% greater than the national median.

Clemson, SC

www.clemson.edu

A

Rating

51%

Acceptance

28,310

Students

#149

Ranking

$37,110

Tuition

Medical University of South Carolina

#200 SOUTH CAROLINA

Medical University of South Carolina is a small public medical school located in Charleston, SC ranked 200th in the United States. It has a total of 418 full-time undergraduate students. Medical University of South Carolina offers 46 different majors and is best known for its Registered Nursing program, which is ranked 5th in the nation. 59.45% of students graduate moving on to the next chapter of their lives, working. After graduation, alumni go on to draw roughly $83,700 per year, which is 102% over the national median.

Charleston, SC

https://web.musc.edu/

A

Rating

100%

Acceptance

3,402

Students

#200

Ranking

$23,340

Tuition

Wofford College

#211 SOUTH CAROLINA

Wofford College is a small private liberal arts college located in Spartanburg, SC ranked 211th in America. It has a total of 1,712 full-time undergraduate students and is not very competitive, with a 59.83% acceptance rate. Wofford College offers 31 different majors and is best known for its Spanish Language and Literature, German Language and Literature, and Humanities programs (nationally ranked 11th, 23rd, and 26th respectively). With an annual tuition of $44,135 per year, Wofford College is rather expensive. 75.87% of students graduate ready to the next phase of their lives, employment. After college, alumni go on to make close to $51,500 per year, which is 24% over the national median.

Spartanburg, SC

www.wofford.edu

A

Rating

60%

Acceptance

1,712

Students

#211

Ranking

$44,135

Tuition

University of South Carolina-Columbia

#267 SOUTH CAROLINA

University of South Carolina-Columbia is a very large public university located in Columbia, SC ranked 267th in the nation. It has a total of 28,022 full-time undergraduate students and is not very competitive, accepting 68.65% of applicants. University of South Carolina-Columbia offers 300 different majors and is best known for its Retailing and Retail Operations, Non-Profit Management, and Exercise Physiology programs (nationally ranked 1st, 1st, and 4th respectively). With an annual tuition of $12,288 for students from South Carolina and $33,528 for those from out-of-state, University of South Carolina-Columbia is reasonably expensive. 65.2% of students graduate ready to the next chapter of their lives, employment. After college, alumni go on to earn about $44,900 per year, which is 8% over the national median.

Columbia, SC

www.sc.edu/

A-

Rating

69%

Acceptance

37,510

Students

#267

Ranking

$33,528

Tuition

Citadel Military College of South Carolina

#377 SOUTH CAROLINA

Citadel Military College of South Carolina is a small public institution located in Charleston, SC ranked 6th in South Carolina. It has a total of 3,233 full-time undergraduate students and is not very competitive, with a 74.73% acceptance rate. Citadel Military College of South Carolina offers 84 different majors and is best known for its Military Technologies and Foreign Languages and Literatures programs, which are respectively ranked 8th and 15th in the nation. With an annual tuition of $75 per year, Citadel Military College of South Carolina is quite affordable. 69.45% of students graduate starting the next chapter of their lives, joining the labor market. After college, alumni go on to take in approximately $56,800 per year, which is 37% over the national median.

Charleston, SC

www.citadel.edu

B+

Rating

75%

Acceptance

4,458

Students

#377

Ranking

$75

Tuition

Columbia International University

#380 SOUTH CAROLINA

Columbia International University is a small private seminary located in Columbia, SC ranked 7th in South Carolina. It has a total of 715 full-time undergraduate students and is not very competitive, with a 47.92% acceptance rate. Columbia International University offers 56 different majors and is best known for its Missionary Studies, Bible Studies, and Pastoral Counseling programs (nationally ranked 1st, 2nd, and 3rd respectively). With an annual tuition of $23,090 per year, Columbia International University is somewhat moderately pricey. 62.31% of students graduate moving on to the next chapter of their lives, joining the labor force. After college, alumni go on to earn near $29,900 per year, which is 28% less than the national median.

Columbia, SC

www.ciu.edu

B+

Rating

48%

Acceptance

1,697

Students

#380

Ranking

$23,090

Tuition

Presbyterian College

#502 SOUTH CAROLINA

Presbyterian College is a small private liberal arts college located in Clinton, SC ranked 8th in South Carolina. It has a total of 1,160 full-time undergraduate students and is not very competitive, accepting a bit above 3 in 4 applicants. Presbyterian College offers 42 different majors and is best known for its Managerial Economics program, which is ranked 42nd in the US. With an annual tuition of $36,600 per year, Presbyterian College is rather pricey. 62.35% of students graduate starting the next chapter of their lives, employment. After finishing their studies, alumni go on to earn around $44,500 per year, which is 7% over the national median.

Clinton, SC

https://www.presby.edu

B

Rating

75%

Acceptance

1,422

Students

#502

Ranking

$36,600

Tuition

College of Charleston

#639 SOUTH CAROLINA

College of Charleston is a large public institution located in Charleston, SC ranked 9th in South Carolina. It has a total of 10,756 full-time undergraduate students and is not very competitive, accepting 78.33% of applicants. College of Charleston offers 96 different majors and is best known for its Latin American and Caribbean Studies, Fine and Studio Arts Management, and Archeology programs (nationally ranked 4th, 5th, and 16th respectively). With an annual tuition of $70 per year, College of Charleston is quite low-priced. 62.39% of students graduate moving on to the next chapter of their lives, employment. After college, alumni go on to draw roughly $40,700 per year, which is 2% below the national median.

Charleston, SC

www.cofc.edu

C+

Rating

78%

Acceptance

12,907

Students

#639

Ranking

$70

Tuition

Southern Wesleyan University

#678 SOUTH CAROLINA

Southern Wesleyan University is a small private institution located in Central, SC ranked 10th in South Carolina. It has a total of 1,367 full-time undergraduate students and is somewhat competitive, with a 35.03% acceptance rate. Southern Wesleyan University offers 37 different majors and is best known for its Human Services program, which is ranked 9th in the nation. With an annual tuition of $24,926 per year, Southern Wesleyan University is somewhat moderately expensive. 39.84% of students graduate moving on to the next phase of their lives, entering the labor market. After finishing college, alumni go on to earn roughly $39,200 per year, which is 6% below the national median.

Central, SC

www.swu.edu

C+

Rating

35%

Acceptance

1,815

Students

#678

Ranking

$24,926

Tuition

Bob Jones University

#763 SOUTH CAROLINA

Bob Jones University is a small private university located in Greenville, SC ranked 11th in South Carolina. It has a total of 2,971 full-time undergraduate students. Bob Jones University offers 158 different majors and is best known for its Missionary Studies, Counseling Psychology, and Bible Studies programs (nationally ranked 5th, 7th, and 9th respectively). With an annual tuition of $18,100 per year, Bob Jones University is reasonably priced. 47% of students graduate ready to the next stage of their lives, working.

Greenville, SC

www.bju.edu

C+

Rating

100%

Acceptance

3,455

Students

#763

Ranking

$18,100

Tuition

Anderson University

#932 SOUTH CAROLINA

Anderson University is a small private college located in Anderson, SC ranked 12th in South Carolina. It has a total of 3,074 full-time undergraduate students and is not very competitive, accepting 68.73% of applicants. Anderson University offers 99 different majors and is best known for its Pre-Physical Therapy Studies, Christian Studies, and Musical Theatre programs (nationally ranked 6th, 16th, and 35th respectively). With an annual tuition of $26,130 per year, Anderson University is somewhat moderately pricey. 52.76% of students graduate starting the next phase of their lives, employment. After finishing college, alumni go on to earn roughly $35,200 per year, which is 15% under the national median.

Anderson, SC

www.andersonuniversity.edu

C+

Rating

69%

Acceptance

3,828

Students

#932

Ranking

$26,130

Tuition

Coastal Carolina University

#1063 SOUTH CAROLINA

Coastal Carolina University is a large public liberal arts college located in Conway, SC ranked 13th in South Carolina. It has a total of 10,719 full-time undergraduate students and is not very competitive, with a 68.87% acceptance rate. Coastal Carolina University offers 81 different majors and is best known for its Military Technologies and Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography programs, which are respectively ranked 12th and 26th in the US. With an annual tuition of $11,460 for students from South Carolina and $27,214 for those from out-of-state, Coastal Carolina University is reasonably expensive. 46.83% of students graduate moving on to the next phase of their lives, employment. After graduation, alumni go on to take in near $38,500 per year, which is 7% under the national median.

Conway, SC

www.coastal.edu

C+

Rating

69%

Acceptance

11,982

Students

#1063

Ranking

$27,214

Tuition

Winthrop University

#1085 SOUTH CAROLINA

Winthrop University is a mid-sized public institution located in Rock Hill, SC ranked 14th in South Carolina. It has a total of 5,422 full-time undergraduate students and is not very competitive, with a 68.78% acceptance rate. Winthrop University offers 81 different majors and is best known for its Home Economics Teacher Education and Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services programs, which are respectively ranked 1st and 46th in America. With an annual tuition of $15,306 for students from South Carolina and $29,636 for those from out-of-state, Winthrop University is somewhat moderately expensive. 55.85% of students graduate ready to the next chapter of their lives, entering the labor force. After finishing their studies, alumni go on to make close to $35,900 per year, which is 14% under the national median.

Rock Hill, SC

www.winthrop.edu

C+

Rating

69%

Acceptance

6,801

Students

#1085

Ranking

$29,636

Tuition

North Greenville University

#1128 SOUTH CAROLINA

North Greenville University is a small private institution located in Tigerville, SC ranked 15th in South Carolina. It has a total of 2,571 full-time undergraduate students and is not very competitive, accepting slightly north of five eighths of applicants. North Greenville University offers 60 different majors and is best known for its Missionary Studies, Broadcast Journalism, and Bible Studies programs (nationally ranked 9th, 24th, and 26th respectively). With an annual tuition of $21,120 per year, North Greenville University is somewhat moderately expensive. 48.51% of students graduate beginning the next stage of their lives, working. After college, alumni go on to earn around $34,400 per year, which is 17% less than the national median.

Tigerville, SC

www.ngu.edu

C+

Rating

63%

Acceptance

3,000

Students

#1128

Ranking

$21,120

Tuition

Erskine College

#1174 SOUTH CAROLINA

Erskine College is a very small private liberal arts college located in Due West, SC ranked 16th in South Carolina. It has a total of 622 full-time undergraduate students and is not very competitive, accepting 69.65% of applicants. Erskine College offers 30 different majors and is best known for its Athletic Training, Biology, and Biological and Biomedical Sciences programs (respectively ranked 3rd, 10th, and 10th in South Carolina). With an annual tuition of $34,435 per year, Erskine College is reasonably costly. 47.79% of students graduate moving on to the next phase of their lives, entering the labor force. After college, alumni go on to make more or less $37,400 per year, which is 10% under the national median.

Due West, SC

www.erskine.edu

C+

Rating

70%

Acceptance

869

Students

#1174

Ranking

$34,435

Tuition

Lander University

#1189 SOUTH CAROLINA

Lander University is a small public institution located in Greenwood, SC ranked 17th in South Carolina. It has a total of 3,135 full-time undergraduate students and is not very competitive, accepting 43.16% of applicants. Lander University offers 33 different majors and is best known for its Humanities, Liberal Arts and Sciences, and Kinesiology and Exercise Science programs (respectively ranked 3rd, 5th, and 6th in South Carolina). With an annual tuition of $10,700 for students from South Carolina and $20,300 for those from out-of-state, Lander University is moderately priced. 41.66% of students graduate beginning the next phase of their lives, employment. After college, alumni go on to take in approximately $34,200 per year, which is 18% less than the national median.

Greenwood, SC

https://www.lander.edu

C+

Rating

43%

Acceptance

3,284

Students

#1189

Ranking

$20,300

Tuition

Newberry College

#1233 SOUTH CAROLINA

Newberry College is a small private college located in Newberry, SC ranked 18th in South Carolina. It has a total of 1,268 full-time undergraduate students and is not very competitive, accepting 62.75% of applicants. Newberry College offers 49 different majors and is best known for its Health Care Administration, Graphic Design, and Fitness Administration programs (respectively ranked 3rd, 5th, and 6th in South Carolina). With an annual tuition of $25,000 per year, Newberry College is somewhat moderately expensive. 50.31% of students graduate ready to the next chapter of their lives, joining the workforce. Open graduating, alumni go on to generate about $36,900 per year, which is 11% below the national median.

Newberry, SC

www.newberry.edu

C+

Rating

63%

Acceptance

1,268

Students

#1233

Ranking

$25,000

Tuition

Charleston Southern University

#1295 SOUTH CAROLINA

Charleston Southern University is a small private college located in Charleston, SC ranked 19th in South Carolina. It has a total of 3,942 full-time undergraduate students and is not very competitive, accepting 49.65% of applicants. Charleston Southern University offers 90 different majors and is best known for its Non-Profit Management, Christian Studies, and Child Development programs (nationally ranked 11th, 13th, and 45th respectively). With an annual tuition of $26,000 per year, Charleston Southern University is reasonably expensive. 33.98% of students graduate ready to the next chapter of their lives, joining the labor market. After finishing college, alumni go on to draw about $36,900 per year, which is 11% under the national median.

Charleston, SC

https://www.charlestonsouthern.edu

C

Rating

50%

Acceptance

4,796

Students

#1295

Ranking

$26,000

Tuition

University of South Carolina-Lancaster

#1297 SOUTH CAROLINA

University of South Carolina-Lancaster is a small public associates college located in Lancaster, SC ranked 20th in South Carolina. It has a total of 2,107 full-time undergraduate students and is not competitive, accepting 82.1% of applicants. University of South Carolina-Lancaster offers 5 different majors. With an annual tuition of $7,158 for students from South Carolina and $17,838 for those from out-of-state, University of South Carolina-Lancaster is moderately priced. 65.2% of students graduate ready to the next stage of their lives, working. Open graduating, alumni go on to make about $44,900 per year, which is 8% greater than the national median.

Lancaster, SC

www.sc.edu/about/system_and_campuses/lancaster/index.php

C

Rating

82%

Acceptance

2,107

Students

#1297

Ranking

$17,838

Tuition

University of South Carolina-Upstate

#1302 SOUTH CAROLINA

University of South Carolina-Upstate is a mid-sized public college located in Spartanburg, SC ranked 21st in South Carolina. It has a total of 6,785 full-time undergraduate students and is not very competitive, accepting 58.13% of applicants. University of South Carolina-Upstate offers 48 different majors and is best known for its Medical Informatics, Industrial Management, and Exercise Physiology programs (nationally ranked 4th, 31st, and 44th respectively). With an annual tuition of $11,208 for in-state students and $22,710 for those from out-of-state, University of South Carolina-Upstate is reasonably costly. 48.55% of students graduate ready to the next chapter of their lives, employment. After finishing college, alumni go on to bring in around $36,900 per year, which is 11% under the national median.

Spartanburg, SC

www.uscupstate.edu

C

Rating

58%

Acceptance

7,249

Students

#1302

Ranking

$22,710

Tuition

University of South Carolina Aiken

#1387 SOUTH CAROLINA

University of South Carolina Aiken is a small public institution located in Aiken, SC ranked 22nd in South Carolina. It has a total of 3,673 full-time undergraduate students and is not very competitive, accepting faintly greater than five out of every nine applicants. University of South Carolina Aiken offers 31 different majors and is best known for its Applied Mathematics, Industrial Engineering, and Secondary Education and Teaching programs (respectively ranked 1st, 2nd, and 4th in South Carolina). With an annual tuition of $10,398 for students from South Carolina and $20,856 for those from out-of-state, University of South Carolina Aiken is somewhat moderately high-priced. 41.55% of students graduate moving on to the next chapter of their lives, working. After college, alumni go on to make around $37,100 per year, which is 11% below the national median.

Aiken, SC

www.usca.edu

C

Rating

56%

Acceptance

4,376

Students

#1387

Ranking

$20,856

Tuition

Coker University

#1468 SOUTH CAROLINA

Coker University is a small private institution located in Hartsville, SC ranked 23rd in South Carolina. It has a total of 1,328 full-time undergraduate students and is not very competitive, with a 63.29% acceptance rate. Coker University offers 52 different majors and is best known for its Interdisciplinary Studies, Health and Fitness, and Business programs (respectively ranked 1st, 1st, and 2nd in South Carolina). With an annual tuition of $29,976 per year, Coker University is reasonably costly. 44.14% of students graduate ready to the next chapter of their lives, employment. After finishing college, alumni go on to generate about $32,800 per year, which is 21% under the national median.

Hartsville, SC

https://coker.edu

C

Rating

63%

Acceptance

1,538

Students

#1468

Ranking

$29,976

Tuition

Limestone College

#1599 SOUTH CAROLINA

Limestone College is a small private institution located in Gaffney, SC ranked 24th in South Carolina. It has a total of 2,662 full-time undergraduate students and is not very competitive, accepting in the neighborhood of 1/2 of applicants. Limestone College offers 45 different majors and is best known for its Computer Programming program, which is ranked 29th in the nation. With an annual tuition of $25,200 per year, Limestone College is somewhat moderately high-priced. 32.5% of students graduate starting the next phase of their lives, employment. After graduation, alumni go on to bring in more or less $37,400 per year, which is 10% under the national median.

Gaffney, SC

www.limestone.edu

C

Rating

51%

Acceptance

2,758

Students

#1599

Ranking

$25,200

Tuition

Converse College

#1635 SOUTH CAROLINA

Converse College is a small private college located in Spartanburg, SC ranked 25th in South Carolina. It has a total of 901 full-time undergraduate students and is not competitive, accepting 89.34% of applicants. Converse College offers 79 different majors and is best known for its Art Teacher Education program, which is ranked 28th in America. With an annual tuition of $18,890 per year, Converse College is reasonably priced. 50.47% of students graduate starting the next phase of their lives, employment. Open graduating, alumni go on to make more or less $33,900 per year, which is 18% under the national median.

Spartanburg, SC

www.converse.edu/

C

Rating

89%

Acceptance

2,847

Students

#1635

Ranking

$18,890

Tuition