2027 Best Value General Studies Schools in South Carolina
[General Studies](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/general-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 7 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value general studies schools.
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2027 Best Value General Studies Schools in South Carolina
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Studies Schools
Coastal Carolina University earned the #1 spot for value among general studies schools in South Carolina. Located in the city of Conway, Coastal Carolina University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,640, compared with $29,628 for out-of-state students. General Studies graduates carry a median of $27,250 in student loans. Early-career general studies graduates make about $38,272. Set against $27,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Williamsburg Technical College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value general studies schools. Williamsburg Technical College is a small public school located in the town of Kingstree. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,488, with out-of-state students paying around $8,592. Median earnings reach $29,935 ten years out.
A rank of #3 makes Spartanburg Methodist College one of the best values for general studies. Set in the suburb of Spartanburg, Spartanburg Methodist College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $20,650. General Studies graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Early-career general studies graduates make about $14,509. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Technical College Of The Lowcountry earned it the #4 place for general studies. Located in the city of Beaufort, Technical College Of The Lowcountry is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,156, while out-of-state students pay about $11,916. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $9,500. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Technical College Of The Lowcountry generally make around $28,441. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in general studies will find it at Bob Jones University, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Greenville, Bob Jones University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $22,892 in tuition and fees. General Studies graduates carry a median of $20,497 in student loans. General Studies graduates of Bob Jones University earn a median of $40,538 early in their careers. Set against $20,497 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
North Greenville University earned the #6 position for value in general studies this year. North Greenville University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Tigerville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $25,800. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete the general studies program here. General Studies graduates of North Greenville University earn a median of $29,506 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 67%.
Columbia International University landed the #7 spot for general studies value this year. Located in the city of Columbia, Columbia International University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $27,900 in tuition and fees. General Studies graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. General Studies graduates of Columbia International University earn a median of $32,296 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Columbia International University admits about 94% of applicants.
More General Studies Rankings
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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.
