2026 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in South Carolina
[Registered Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/registered-nursing/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 41 schools to find the best return on investment for registered nursing students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in South Carolina
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in registered nursing, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Registered Nursing Schools
Trident Technical College tops our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools in South Carolina. Located in the city of Charleston, Trident Technical College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,546 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,620 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $30,938. Soon after graduation, registered 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 York Technical College one of the best values for registered nursing. Set in the city of Rock Hill, York Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,036, with out-of-state students paying around $13,340. Students borrow a median of $12,500 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $68,550. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Horry Georgetown Technical College earned it the #3 place for registered nursing. Set in the city of Conway, Horry Georgetown Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,518 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,978 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $32,170 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Horry Georgetown Technical College generally make around $66,034. That is a strong return on a $32,170 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Central Carolina Technical College earned it the #4 place for registered nursing. Set in the city of Sumter, Central Carolina Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,715, while out-of-state students pay about $9,016. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $20,838. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Central Carolina Technical College generally make around $68,914. Set against $20,838 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes Florence Darlington Technical College one of the best values for registered nursing. Located in the rural area of Florence, Florence Darlington Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,636 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,772 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,230 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $34,948. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Midlands Technical College earned the #6 position for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the suburb of West Columbia, Midlands Technical College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,100, while out-of-state students pay about $14,700. Students borrow a median of $24,649 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Midlands Technical College generally make around $70,571. Set against $24,649 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Aiken Technical College earned the #7 position for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the suburb of Graniteville, Aiken Technical College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,174, with out-of-state students paying around $7,924. Students borrow a median of $22,200 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $72,146. That is a strong return on a $22,200 median debt.
Tri County Technical College landed the #8 spot for registered nursing value this year. Tri County Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Pendleton. Students from in state pay about $4,448 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,007 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,250 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Tri County Technical College generally make around $73,667. That is a strong return on a $21,250 median debt.
Greenville Technical College came in at #9 for value in registered nursing this year. Greenville Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Greenville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,495, compared with $10,775 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $25,796 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Greenville Technical College earn a median of $72,879 early in their careers. Set against $25,796 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Spartanburg Community College landed the #10 spot for registered nursing value this year. Spartanburg Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Spartanburg. Students from in state pay about $5,071 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,135. Students borrow a median of $12,894 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $70,419. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Technical College Of The Lowcountry ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Located in the city of Beaufort, Technical College Of The Lowcountry is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,156 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,916. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $24,719. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $66,628. That is a strong return on a $24,719 median debt.
Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College landed the #12 spot for registered nursing value this year. Located in the town of Orangeburg, Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,210, compared with $8,354 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $19,900. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College generally make around $72,237. That is a strong return on a $19,900 median debt.
Northeastern Technical College placed #13 among the best values for registered nursing. Set in the rural area of Cheraw, Northeastern Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,664, while out-of-state students pay about $6,024. Students borrow a median of $18,933 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Northeastern Technical College earn a median of $68,001 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Williamsburg Technical College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Williamsburg Technical College is a small public school located in the town of Kingstree. In-state tuition and fees average $4,488, compared with $8,592 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $29,935 ten years out.
University Of South Carolina Aiken earned the #15 position for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the suburb of Aiken, University Of South Carolina Aiken is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,760, while out-of-state students pay about $21,218. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $28,500. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $72,714. Set against $28,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Carolina Upstate placed #16 among the best values for registered nursing. Located in the suburb of Spartanburg, University Of South Carolina Upstate is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $11,588 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $23,090. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $26,250. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $75,849. Set against $26,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.
Piedmont Technical College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Located in the town of Greenwood, Piedmont Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,775 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,923. Students borrow a median of $27,250 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered 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 ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Francis Marion University is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Florence. In-state tuition and fees average $11,170, with out-of-state students paying around $21,544. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $29,250. Registered 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. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Lander University placed #19 among the best values for registered nursing. Located in the town of Greenwood, Lander University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $11,700 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,300. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $25,665 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $78,485. Set against $25,665 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Lander University admits about 81% of applicants.
University Of South Carolina Beaufort earned the #20 position for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the town of Bluffton, University Of South Carolina Beaufort is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,730, compared with $21,776 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from University Of South Carolina Beaufort generally make around $64,671. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Newberry College landed the #21 spot for registered nursing value this year. Located in the town of Newberry, Newberry College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $31,100. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Newberry College generally make around $72,756. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Claflin University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Set in the town of Orangeburg, Claflin University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $17,046. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $23,819. Registered Nursing graduates of Claflin University earn a median of $76,590 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Bob Jones University earned the #23 position for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the city of Greenville, Bob Jones University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $22,892. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $26,972. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Bob Jones University generally make around $73,493. Set against $26,972 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Citadel Military College Of South Carolina ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Citadel Military College Of South Carolina is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Charleston. In-state tuition and fees average $12,570, while out-of-state students pay about $38,508. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $29,500 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $60,791. Set against $29,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 23% of applicants are accepted.
Clemson University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Clemson University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Clemson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,554, while out-of-state students pay about $40,866. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered 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.
Rest of the Top 31 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for registered nursing this year:
More Registered Nursing Rankings
View All Registered Nursing Rankings >
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 · 41 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 28 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.
