2027 Best Value General Business/Commerce Schools in South Carolina
[General Business/Commerce](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/general-business-commerce/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 15 schools to find the best return on investment for general business/commerce students.
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2027 Best Value General Business/Commerce Schools in South Carolina
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general business/commerce degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value General Business/Commerce Schools
Trident Technical College earned the #1 spot for value among general business/commerce schools in South Carolina. Located in the city of Charleston, Trident Technical College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,546, while out-of-state students pay about $8,620. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $18,116 in student loans. General Business/commerce graduates of Trident Technical College earn a median of $50,166 early in their careers. Set against $18,116 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Horry Georgetown Technical College earned it the #2 place for general business/commerce. Set in the city of Conway, Horry Georgetown Technical College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,518, compared with $10,978 for out-of-state students. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $26,100 in student loans. General Business/commerce graduates of Horry Georgetown Technical College earn a median of $36,679 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Midlands Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general business/commerce, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of West Columbia, Midlands Technical College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,100, while out-of-state students pay about $14,700. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $17,611. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $39,610. That is a strong return on a $17,611 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at York Technical College earned it the #4 place for general business/commerce. Located in the city of Rock Hill, York Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,036, while out-of-state students pay about $13,340. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $11,000. General Business/commerce graduates of York Technical College earn a median of $33,870 early in their careers. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College earned it the #5 place for general business/commerce. Located in the town of Orangeburg, Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,210, compared with $8,354 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,583 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College generally make around $61,814. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northeastern Technical College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value general business/commerce schools. Located in the rural area of Cheraw, Northeastern Technical College is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,664, while out-of-state students pay about $6,024. Students borrow a median of $18,933 to complete the general business/commerce program here. General Business/commerce graduates of Northeastern Technical College earn a median of $57,772 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of South Carolina Lancaster earned the #7 position for value in general business/commerce this year. University Of South Carolina Lancaster is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Lancaster. Students from in state pay about $7,558 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,238. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $11,705. General Business/commerce graduates of University Of South Carolina Lancaster earn a median of $44,067 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Piedmont Technical College came in at #8 for value in general business/commerce this year. Set in the town of Greenwood, Piedmont Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,775, compared with $6,923 for out-of-state students. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $26,547 in student loans. General Business/commerce graduates of Piedmont Technical College earn a median of $33,486 early in their careers. Set against $26,547 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tri County Technical College placed #9 among the best values for general business/commerce. Set in the suburb of Pendleton, Tri County Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,448 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,007 for out-of-state students. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $15,787 in student loans. General Business/commerce graduates of Tri County Technical College earn a median of $43,438 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Technical College Of The Lowcountry came in at #10 for value in general business/commerce this year. Set in the city of Beaufort, Technical College Of The Lowcountry is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,156, while out-of-state students pay about $11,916. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $17,110. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Technical College Of The Lowcountry generally make around $44,556. That is a strong return on a $17,110 median debt.
Strayer University South Carolina placed #11 among the best values for general business/commerce. Located in the city of Greenville, Strayer University South Carolina is a mid-sized private for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,920. Students borrow a median of $44,664 to complete the general business/commerce program here. General Business/commerce graduates of Strayer University South Carolina earn a median of $49,793 early in their careers. Set against $44,664 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
South Carolina State University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value general business/commerce schools. Set in the town of Orangeburg, South Carolina State University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,060, with out-of-state students paying around $21,750. Students borrow a median of $31,740 to complete the general business/commerce program here. General Business/commerce graduates of South Carolina State University earn a median of $39,914 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. South Carolina State University admits about 83% of applicants.
Denmark Technical College landed the #13 spot for general business/commerce value this year. Set in the rural area of Denmark, Denmark Technical College is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,315 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,955. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $25,351.
Citadel Military College Of South Carolina landed the #14 spot for general business/commerce value this year. Located in the city of Charleston, Citadel Military College Of South Carolina is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,570, while out-of-state students pay about $38,508. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $24,305 in student loans. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $52,909. Set against $24,305 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 23% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Carolina Columbia ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value general business/commerce schools. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of South Carolina Columbia is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,688, with out-of-state students paying around $36,298. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $24,537. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from University Of South Carolina Columbia generally make around $53,623. Set against $24,537 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on 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 Major Best Value · 15 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 15 ranked schools only.
- 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
