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2026 Best Registered Nursing Schools in South Carolina

28 Colleges in the United States
2,979 Registered Nursing Degrees Awarded
$73,263 Avg Early-Career Salary

Registered Nursing is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 41 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for registered nursing students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Registered Nursing in South Carolina

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall registered nursing education in South Carolina.

Top Schools in Registered Nursing

1

Our analysis ranked University Of South Carolina Columbia the best school in the country for a degree in registered nursing. This very large public university is located in the city of Columbia. University Of South Carolina Columbia graduates 79% of students within six years. University Of South Carolina Columbia awarded about 294 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of University Of South Carolina Columbia earn a median of $103,138 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete this degree. Get the full registered nursing details for University Of South Carolina Columbia

2
Clemson University crest
Clemson University
Clemson, SC

Clemson University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best registered nursing schools. Located in the suburb of Clemson, Clemson University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 87%. Clemson University awarded about 255 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of Clemson University earn a median of $85,508 early in their careers. Clemson University graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in registered nursing from Clemson University

3

A rank of #3 makes Galen Health Institutes Myrtle Beach one of the top schools for registered nursing. Set in the city of Myrtle Beach, Galen Health Institutes Myrtle Beach is a small private for-profit institution. About 119 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Galen Health Institutes Myrtle Beach in the most recent year. See the full registered nursing program report for Galen Health Institutes Myrtle Beach

4

Medical University Of South Carolina is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in registered nursing, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Charleston, Medical University Of South Carolina is a mid-sized public institution. Medical University Of South Carolina awarded about 155 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of Medical University Of South Carolina earn a median of $96,902 early in their careers. Medical University Of South Carolina graduates carry a median of $29,043 in student loans. Read more about the registered nursing program at Medical University Of South Carolina

5

Spartanburg Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best registered nursing schools. Located in the suburb of Spartanburg, Spartanburg Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Spartanburg Community College awarded about 74 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $70,419 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $12,894. Read more about the registered nursing program at Spartanburg Community College

6

University Of South Carolina Upstate came in at #6 for registered nursing this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Spartanburg. The six-year graduation rate is 43%. University Of South Carolina Upstate awarded about 216 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $75,849 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,250. More information about a degree in registered nursing from University Of South Carolina Upstate

7
Lander University crest
Lander University
Greenwood, SC

Lander University earned the #7 position for registered nursing this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Greenwood. Lander University graduates 50% of students within six years. Lander University awarded about 110 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Lander University earn around $78,485 in the first couple years of their career. Lander University graduates carry a median of $25,665 in student loans. More information about a degree in registered nursing from Lander University

8

York Technical College came in at #8 for registered nursing this year. Located in the city of Rock Hill, York Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. York Technical College awarded about 66 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from York Technical College generally make around $68,550. Typical student debt for the program is $12,500. Get the full registered nursing details for York Technical College

9

Greenville Technical College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best registered nursing schools. Set in the city of Greenville, Greenville Technical College is a large public institution. About 135 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Greenville Technical College in the most recent year. Registered Nursing graduates of Greenville Technical College earn a median of $72,879 early in their careers. Greenville Technical College graduates carry a median of $25,796 in student loans. Get the full registered nursing details for Greenville Technical College

10

Tri County Technical College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best registered nursing schools. Tri County Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Pendleton. Tri County Technical College awarded about 103 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $73,667 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,250. Get the full registered nursing details for Tri County Technical College

11
Claflin University crest
Claflin University
Orangeburg, SC

Claflin University placed #11 among the best registered nursing schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Orangeburg. Claflin University graduates 52% of students within six years. About 25 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Claflin University in the most recent year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Claflin University earn around $76,590 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,819. Get the full registered nursing details for Claflin University

12

Anderson University Sc came in at #12 for registered nursing this year. Set in the city of Anderson, Anderson University Sc is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 66%. About 78 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Anderson University Sc in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Anderson University Sc generally make around $90,934. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Get the full registered nursing details for Anderson University Sc

13
Midlands Technical College crest
Midlands Technical College
West Columbia, SC

Midlands Technical College placed #13 among the best registered nursing schools. Located in the suburb of West Columbia, Midlands Technical College is a large public university. There were roughly 106 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Midlands Technical College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Midlands Technical College generally make around $70,571. Students borrow a median of $24,649 to complete this degree. Get the full registered nursing details for Midlands Technical College

14

Northeastern Technical College landed the #14 spot for registered nursing this year. Northeastern Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Cheraw. About 47 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Northeastern Technical College in the most recent year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Northeastern Technical College earn around $68,001 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $18,933 to complete this degree. See the full registered nursing program report for Northeastern Technical College

15

University Of South Carolina Aiken landed the #15 spot for registered nursing this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the suburb of Aiken. University Of South Carolina Aiken graduates 40% of students within six years. University Of South Carolina Aiken awarded about 114 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of University Of South Carolina Aiken earn a median of $72,714 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $28,500. More information about a degree in registered nursing from University Of South Carolina Aiken

16
Newberry College crest
Newberry College
Newberry, SC

Newberry College earned the #16 position for registered nursing this year. Set in the town of Newberry, Newberry College is a small private not-for-profit institution. About 45% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 23 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Newberry College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Newberry College earn around $72,756 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Get the full registered nursing details for Newberry College

17

Central Carolina Technical College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best registered nursing schools. Central Carolina Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Sumter. Central Carolina Technical College awarded about 98 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of Central Carolina Technical College earn a median of $68,914 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,838 to complete this degree. See the full registered nursing program report for Central Carolina Technical College

18

Trident Technical College placed #18 among the best registered nursing schools. Set in the city of Charleston, Trident Technical College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 162 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Trident Technical College in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of Trident Technical College earn a median of $67,607 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $30,938. See the full registered nursing program report for Trident Technical College

19
Aiken Technical College crest
Aiken Technical College
Graniteville, SC

Aiken Technical College came in at #19 for registered nursing this year. Located in the suburb of Graniteville, Aiken Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Aiken Technical College awarded about 57 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $72,146 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,200 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in registered nursing from Aiken Technical College

20

Horry Georgetown Technical College landed the #20 spot for registered nursing this year. Set in the city of Conway, Horry Georgetown Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Horry Georgetown Technical College awarded about 126 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Horry Georgetown Technical College generally make around $66,034. Typical student debt for the program is $32,170. More information about a degree in registered nursing from Horry Georgetown Technical College

21

University Of South Carolina Beaufort landed the #21 spot for registered nursing this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Bluffton. Roughly 34% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 47 registered nursing degrees were awarded at University Of South Carolina Beaufort in the most recent year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $64,671 in their early career. University Of South Carolina Beaufort graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Get the full registered nursing details for University Of South Carolina Beaufort

22

Charleston Southern University landed the #22 spot for registered nursing this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Charleston. The six-year graduation rate is 47%. About 69 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Charleston Southern University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Charleston Southern University generally make around $66,310. Typical student debt for the program is $31,000. Get the full registered nursing details for Charleston Southern University

23

Francis Marion University earned the #23 position for registered nursing this year. Set in the rural area of Florence, Francis Marion University is a mid-sized public institution. Francis Marion University graduates 43% of students within six years. About 53 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Francis Marion University in the most recent year. Registered Nursing graduates of Francis Marion University earn a median of $70,110 early in their careers. Francis Marion University graduates carry a median of $29,250 in student loans. Get the full registered nursing details for Francis Marion University

24

Technical College Of The Lowcountry came in at #24 for registered nursing this year. Technical College Of The Lowcountry is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Beaufort. There were roughly 43 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Technical College Of The Lowcountry in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $66,628 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,719 to complete this degree. See the full registered nursing program report for Technical College Of The Lowcountry

25

Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College came in at #25 for registered nursing this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Orangeburg. About 97 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College generally make around $72,237. Students borrow a median of $19,900 to complete this degree. Read more about the registered nursing program at Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College

Rest of the Top 32 Registered Nursing Schools

Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong registered nursing education:

26
27
28
29
30
31
Bob Jones University crest
Bob Jones University
Greenville, SC
32

View All Registered Nursing Rankings >

Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 41 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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