2027 Best Value Nursing Schools in South Carolina
[Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/) 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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 32 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for nursing students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Nursing Schools in South Carolina
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in nursing, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Nursing Schools
Trident Technical College tops our 2027 list of the best value nursing 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. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $30,938. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Trident Technical College generally make around $67,607. Set against $30,938 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Spartanburg Community College one of the best values for nursing. Set in the suburb of Spartanburg, Spartanburg Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,071, compared with $10,135 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,894 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Spartanburg Community College generally make around $70,419. 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 nursing, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of West Columbia, Midlands Technical College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,100, with out-of-state students paying around $14,700. Students borrow a median of $24,649 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Midlands Technical College generally make around $70,571. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes Florence Darlington Technical College one of the best values for nursing. Florence Darlington Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Florence. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,636, while out-of-state students pay about $6,772. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $7,230. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Florence Darlington Technical College generally make around $34,948. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Horry Georgetown Technical College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Horry Georgetown Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Conway. Students from in state pay about $5,518 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,978. Nursing graduates carry a median of $32,170 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $66,034. Set against $32,170 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Aiken Technical College earned the #6 position for value in nursing this year. Aiken Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Graniteville. In-state tuition and fees average $5,174, compared with $7,924 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $22,200 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Aiken Technical College earn a median of $72,146 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
York Technical College came in at #7 for value in nursing this year. Located in the city of Rock Hill, York Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,036, with out-of-state students paying around $13,340. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $12,500. Nursing graduates of York Technical College earn a median of $68,550 early in their careers. Set against $12,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Carolina Technical College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Central Carolina Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Sumter. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,715, while out-of-state students pay about $9,016. Nursing graduates carry a median of $20,838 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Central Carolina Technical College earn a median of $68,914 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northeastern Technical College landed the #9 spot for nursing value this year. Set in the rural area of Cheraw, Northeastern Technical College is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,664, with out-of-state students paying around $6,024. Students borrow a median of $18,933 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Northeastern Technical College earn a median of $68,001 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,933 median debt.
Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College placed #10 among the best values for nursing. Located in the town of Orangeburg, Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,210, while out-of-state students pay about $8,354. Students borrow a median of $19,900 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College earn a median of $72,237 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of South Carolina Aiken landed the #11 spot for nursing value this year. Located in the suburb of Aiken, University Of South Carolina Aiken is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,760, with out-of-state students paying around $21,218. Students borrow a median of $28,500 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of University Of South Carolina Aiken earn a median of $72,714 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
University Of South Carolina Upstate placed #12 among the best values for nursing. University Of South Carolina Upstate is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Spartanburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,588, with out-of-state students paying around $23,090. Students borrow a median of $26,250 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from University Of South Carolina Upstate generally make around $75,849. Set against $26,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of South Carolina Upstate admits about 67% of applicants.
Greenville Technical College landed the #13 spot for nursing value this year. Set in the city of Greenville, Greenville Technical College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,495 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,775 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,796 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Greenville Technical College generally make around $72,879. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Piedmont Technical College placed #14 among the best values for nursing. Located in the town of Greenwood, Piedmont Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,775, compared with $6,923 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $27,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Piedmont Technical College generally make around $69,883. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Francis Marion University landed the #15 spot for nursing value this year. Set in the rural area of Florence, Francis Marion University is a mid-sized public institution. 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 graduates is $29,250. Nursing graduates of Francis Marion University earn a median of $70,110 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,250 median debt. Francis Marion University admits about 86% of applicants.
Tri County Technical College came in at #16 for value in nursing this year. Set in the suburb of Pendleton, Tri County Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,448, while out-of-state students pay about $12,007. Students borrow a median of $21,250 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Tri County Technical College earn a median of $73,667 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of South Carolina Beaufort came in at #17 for value in nursing this year. Set in the town of Bluffton, University Of South Carolina Beaufort is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,730, compared with $21,776 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $64,671. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of South Carolina Beaufort admits about 72% of applicants.
Lander University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Lander University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Greenwood. Students from in state pay about $11,700 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,300. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $25,665. Early-career nursing graduates make about $78,485. Set against $25,665 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Technical College Of The Lowcountry landed the #19 spot for nursing value this year. Technical College Of The Lowcountry is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Beaufort. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,156, while out-of-state students pay about $11,916. Students borrow a median of $24,719 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Technical College Of The Lowcountry generally make around $66,628. Set against $24,719 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Claflin University placed #20 among the best values for nursing. Located in the town of Orangeburg, Claflin University is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,046. Students borrow a median of $23,819 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Claflin University generally make around $76,590. Set against $23,819 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Coker College came in at #21 for value in nursing this year. Coker College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Hartsville. Students from in state pay about $33,416 in tuition and fees. Nursing graduates carry a median of $29,362 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Coker College earn a median of $36,113 early in their careers. Set against $29,362 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Newberry College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Set in the town of Newberry, Newberry College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $31,100. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Newberry College generally make around $72,756. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Newberry College admits about 90% of applicants.
Bob Jones University landed the #23 spot for nursing value this year. Located in the city of Greenville, Bob Jones University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $22,892. Nursing graduates carry a median of $26,972 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Bob Jones University earn a median of $73,493 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,972 median debt.
Clemson University placed #24 among the best values for nursing. Clemson University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Clemson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,554, with out-of-state students paying around $40,866. Nursing graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Clemson University generally make around $85,508. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
Citadel Military College Of South Carolina landed the #25 spot for nursing value this year. Citadel Military College Of South Carolina is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Charleston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,570, while out-of-state students pay about $38,508. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $29,500. Early-career nursing graduates make about $60,791. That is a strong return on a $29,500 median debt. Citadel Military College Of South Carolina admits about 23% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 32 Best Value Nursing Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s nursing value ranking:
View All Nursing Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 32 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 32 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.
