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2022 Best Value Colleges for Education in South Carolina (With Aid)

24 Ranked Colleges
3,287 Degrees Awarded
$17,600 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Education Schools in South Carolina For Those Getting Aid

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Education Schools in South Carolina For Those Getting Aid” ranking - to help you make that decision.

With 310,601 degrees handed out in 2019-2020, education is the 4th most popular major in the United States. In 2017-2018, education graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $43,887 and had an average of $30,244 in loans still to pay off.

Across South Carolina, there were 3,287 education graduates with average earnings and debt of $37,483 and $30,003 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Education Schools in South Carolina For Those Getting Aid” ranking analyzed 24 colleges that offered a degree in education. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality education programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the education program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Education Schools in South Carolina For Those Getting Aid” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Education Schools in South Carolina For Those Getting Aid

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Education Schools in South Carolina For Those Getting Aid.

Top 24 Best Value Colleges for Education in South Carolina (With Aid)

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of South Carolina - Aiken. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Education Schools in South Carolina For Those Getting Aid. UofSC Aiken is a public institution located in Aiken, South Carolina. The school has a small population, and it awarded 59 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UofSC Aiken also took the #8 spot in our “Best Education Schools in South Carolina” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of South Carolina - Aiken is $15,050 for south carolina education students with aid.

Read more about Education at UofSC Aiken

#2

Francis Marion University

Florence, South Carolina

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Francis Marion University. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Education Schools in South Carolina For Those Getting Aid. Florence, South Carolina is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s education degrees to 98 students in 2019-2020.

Francis Marion University also made our “Best Education Schools in South Carolina” list, coming in at #14. It costs about $12,742 for South Carolina Education students with aid per year to attend Francis Marion University.

Read more about Education at Francis Marion University

#3

University of South Carolina - Upstate

Spartanburg, South Carolina

Out of the 24 schools in the Best Value Education Schools in South Carolina For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, University of South Carolina - Upstate landed the #3 spot on the list. USC Upstate is a medium-sized school located in Spartanburg, South Carolina that handed out 171 ’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

USC Upstate not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Education Schools in South Carolina” list. It costs about $15,832 for south carolina education students with aid per year to attend University of South Carolina - Upstate.

Read more about Education at USC Upstate

#4

Citadel Military College of South Carolina

Charleston, South Carolina

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Citadel Military College of South Carolina. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Education Schools in South Carolina For Those Getting Aid. Citadel Military College of South Carolina is a public institution located in Charleston, South Carolina. The school has a small population, and it awarded 129 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at The Citadel, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Education Schools in South Carolina” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for The Citadel is $18,548 for south carolina education students with aid.

The low student loan default rate of 4.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%.

Read more about Education at Citadel Military College of South Carolina

#5

Coastal Carolina University

Conway, South Carolina

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Coastal Carolina University. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Education Schools in South Carolina For Those Getting Aid. Coastal Carolina University is a fairly large school located in Conway, South Carolina that handed out 286 ’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our south carolina education students with aid list, Coastal Carolina University has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Education Schools in South Carolina” ranking. It costs about $14,749 for south carolina education students with aid per year to attend Coastal Carolina University.

Read full report on Education at Coastal Carolina University

#6

Lander University

Greenwood, South Carolina

Lander University landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools in South Carolina For Those Getting Aid ranking. Lander University is located in Greenwood, South Carolina and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 72 ’s education degrees to qualified students.

Lander University also took the #12 spot in our “Best Education Schools in South Carolina” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Lander University is $12,981 for South Carolina Education students with aid.

Read more about Education at Lander University

#7

Bob Jones University

Greenville, South Carolina

Bob Jones University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Education Schools in South Carolina For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #7. This small school is located in Greenville, South Carolina, and it awarded 103 ’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

Bob Jones University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #19 on our “Best Education Schools in South Carolina” list. The yearly cost to attend Bob Jones University is $12,923 for South Carolina Education students with aid.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Education at Bob Jones University

#8

Clemson University

Clemson, South Carolina

Clemson University came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in South Carolina For Those Getting Aid ranking. Clemson is a large school located in Clemson, South Carolina that handed out 459 ’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Clemson, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Education Schools in South Carolina” ranking. It costs about $20,008 for South Carolina Education students with aid per year to attend Clemson.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Clemson Education Report

#9

Southern Wesleyan University

Central, South Carolina

Southern Wesleyan University ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools in South Carolina For Those Getting Aid list. Southern Wesleyan University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Central, South Carolina. It awarded 71 ’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

SWU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Education Schools in South Carolina” list. The estimated yearly cost for Southern Wesleyan University is $17,750 for south carolina education students with aid.

Full SWU Education Report

#10

Charleston Southern University

Charleston, South Carolina

Charleston Southern University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Education Schools in South Carolina For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #10. Charleston Southern University is located in Charleston, South Carolina and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 97 ’s education degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at CSU, the school also landed the #15 spot in our “Best Education Schools in South Carolina” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for CSU is $17,804 for south carolina education students with aid.

Read more about Education at Charleston Southern University

#11

University of South Carolina - Columbia

Columbia, South Carolina

University of South Carolina - Columbia did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Education Schools in South Carolina For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #11. Located in Columbia, South Carolina, this large public school handed out 509 diplomas to qualified ’s education students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UofSC, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Education Schools in South Carolina” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UofSC is $20,509 for South Carolina Education students with aid.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 90%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low student loan default rate of 3.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full University of South Carolina - Columbia Education Report

#12

University of South Carolina - Beaufort

Bluffton, South Carolina

With a ranking of #12, University of South Carolina - Beaufort did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools in South Carolina For Those Getting Aid list. USCB is a small public school situated in Bluffton, South Carolina. It awarded 25 ’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

USCB not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best Education Schools in South Carolina” list. It costs about $16,719 for South Carolina Education students with aid per year to attend USCB.

Read more about Education at University of South Carolina - Beaufort

#13

College of Charleston

Charleston, South Carolina

With a ranking of #13, College of Charleston did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools in South Carolina For Those Getting Aid list. C of C is a fairly large public school situated in Charleston, South Carolina. It awarded 148 ’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

C of C also took the #4 spot in our “Best Education Schools in South Carolina” ranking. It costs about $19,000 for South Carolina Education students with aid per year to attend C of C.

Read full report on Education at C of C

#14

Winthrop University

Rock Hill, South Carolina

Winthrop University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in South Carolina For Those Getting Aid ranking. Winthrop University is a public institution located in Rock Hill, South Carolina. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 241 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Winthrop also took the #9 spot in our “Best Education Schools in South Carolina” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Winthrop University is $19,047 for South Carolina Education students with aid.

Read more about Education at Winthrop University

#15

Anderson University South Carolina

Anderson, South Carolina

Anderson University South Carolina did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Education Schools in South Carolina For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #15. This small school is located in Anderson, South Carolina, and it awarded 235 ’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Anderson University South Carolina, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Education Schools in South Carolina” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Anderson University South Carolina is $21,756 for south carolina education students with aid.

Read full report on Education at Anderson University South Carolina

#16

Coker University

Hartsville, South Carolina

Coker University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Education Schools in South Carolina For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #16. Located in Hartsville, South Carolina, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 21 degrees to qualified ’s education students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our south carolina education students with aid list, Coker has also earned the #21 rank in our “Best Education Schools in South Carolina” ranking. It costs about $13,472 for South Carolina Education students with aid per year to attend Coker University.

Full Coker University Education Report

#17

North Greenville University

Tigerville, South Carolina

North Greenville University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in South Carolina For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Tigerville, South Carolina, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 90 diplomas to qualified ’s education students in 2019-2020.

North Greenville did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Education Schools in South Carolina” list. The yearly cost to attend North Greenville is $22,058 for South Carolina Education students with aid.

Read full report on Education at North Greenville University

#18

Presbyterian College

Clinton, South Carolina

Presbyterian College came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in South Carolina For Those Getting Aid ranking. Clinton, South Carolina is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s education degrees to 12 students in 2019-2020.

PC also took the #6 spot in our “Best Education Schools in South Carolina” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Presbyterian College is $19,152 for south carolina education students with aid.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Presbyterian College Education Report

#19

Newberry College

Newberry, South Carolina
#16 in overall quality

Newberry College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Education Schools in South Carolina For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #19. Located in Newberry, South Carolina, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 20 degrees to qualified ’s education students in 2019-2020.

Newberry College also made our “Best Education Schools in South Carolina” list, coming in at #16. The estimated yearly cost for Newberry College is $19,539 for south carolina education students with aid.

Full Newberry College Education Report

#20

Columbia College

Columbia, South Carolina

With a ranking of #20, Columbia College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools in South Carolina For Those Getting Aid list. Columbia, South Carolina is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s education degrees to 90 students in 2019-2020.

Columbia College South Carolina did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #20 on our “Best Education Schools in South Carolina” list. The yearly cost to attend Columbia College South Carolina is $18,307 for south carolina education students with aid.

Read full report on Education at Columbia College South Carolina

#21

South Carolina State University

Orangeburg, South Carolina

South Carolina State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Education Schools in South Carolina For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #21. South Carolina State University is a public institution located in Orangeburg, South Carolina. The school has a small population, and it awarded 79 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

South Carolina State University also took the #23 spot in our “Best Education Schools in South Carolina” ranking. The yearly cost to attend South Carolina State University is $20,795 for south carolina education students with aid.

Full South Carolina State University Education Report

#22

Claflin University

Orangeburg, South Carolina

Claflin University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Education Schools in South Carolina For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #22. Located in Orangeburg, South Carolina, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 13 diplomas to qualified ’s education students in 2019-2020.

Claflin did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #22 on our “Best Education Schools in South Carolina” list. The yearly cost to attend Claflin University is $18,136 for South Carolina Education students with aid.

Read more about Education at Claflin

#23

Converse College

Spartanburg, South Carolina

Converse College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Education Schools in South Carolina For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #23. Located in Spartanburg, South Carolina, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 115 diplomas to qualified ’s education students in 2019-2020.

Converse not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best Education Schools in South Carolina” list. It costs about $12,685 for South Carolina Education students with aid per year to attend Converse College.

Read full report on Education at Converse College

#24

Strayer University - South Carolina

Greenville, South Carolina

Strayer University - South Carolina landed the #24 spot on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools in South Carolina For Those Getting Aid ranking. Strayer University - South Carolina is located in Greenville, South Carolina and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 14 ’s education degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our south carolina education students with aid list, Strayer University - South Carolina has also earned the #24 rank in our “Best Education Schools in South Carolina” ranking. It costs about $22,867 for south carolina education students with aid per year to attend Strayer University - South Carolina.

With a freshman retention rate of 100%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read more about Education at Strayer University - South Carolina

Notes and References

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%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

Credits

  • Credit for the banner image above goes to Horadrim.

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