2026 Best Value Nursing Practice Schools in South Carolina

[Nursing Practice](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/nursing-practice/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong nursing practice education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 5 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for nursing practice students.
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2026 Best Value Nursing Practice Schools in South Carolina
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the nursing practice degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Nursing Practice Schools
Francis Marion University earned the #1 spot for value among nursing practice schools in South Carolina. Located in the rural area of Florence, Francis Marion University is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,170, with out-of-state students paying around $21,544. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $29,250. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from Francis Marion University generally make around $70,110. Set against $29,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Clemson University earned it the #2 place for nursing practice. Set in the suburb of Clemson, Clemson University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,554, while out-of-state students pay about $40,866. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $23,000. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $85,508. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Clemson University admits about 38% of applicants.
University Of South Carolina Columbia came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing practice schools. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of South Carolina Columbia is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,688, compared with $36,298 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $24,250. Nursing Practice graduates of University Of South Carolina Columbia earn a median of $103,138 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,250 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Anderson University Sc is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nursing practice, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Anderson, Anderson University Sc is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,970. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from Anderson University Sc generally make around $90,934. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 55%.
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 5 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 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.