2027 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in South Carolina
[Liberal Arts](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/liberal-arts/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 28 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value liberal arts schools.
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2027 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in South Carolina
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the liberal arts degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Liberal Arts Schools
Trident Technical College tops our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts schools in South Carolina. Set in the city of Charleston, Trident Technical College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,546 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,620. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $9,376. Liberal Arts graduates of Trident Technical College earn a median of $50,166 early in their careers. Set against $9,376 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Spartanburg Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Spartanburg, Spartanburg Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,071 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,135 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $8,250 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $28,222. Set against $8,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Midlands Technical College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Midlands Technical College is a large public school located in the suburb of West Columbia. Students from in state pay about $5,100 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,700. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $14,550. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $29,688. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Horry Georgetown Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts, landing the #4 spot this year. Horry Georgetown Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Conway. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,518, compared with $10,978 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $16,500. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Horry Georgetown Technical College generally make around $26,724. That is a strong return on a $16,500 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florence Darlington Technical College earned it the #5 place for liberal arts. Set in the rural area of Florence, Florence Darlington Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,636, while out-of-state students pay about $6,772. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $7,230. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $34,948. That is a strong return on a $7,230 median debt.
York Technical College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts schools. York Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Rock Hill. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,036, with out-of-state students paying around $13,340. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $8,090 in student loans. Liberal Arts graduates of York Technical College earn a median of $25,586 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Aiken Technical College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Set in the suburb of Graniteville, Aiken Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,174, while out-of-state students pay about $7,924. Students borrow a median of $13,325 to complete the liberal arts program here. Liberal Arts graduates of Aiken Technical College earn a median of $51,894 early in their careers. Set against $13,325 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Carolina Technical College came in at #8 for value in liberal arts this year. Central Carolina Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Sumter. In-state tuition and fees average $5,715, compared with $9,016 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $10,835. Liberal Arts graduates of Central Carolina Technical College earn a median of $26,254 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northeastern Technical College landed the #9 spot for liberal arts value this year. Located in the rural area of Cheraw, Northeastern Technical College is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,664, with out-of-state students paying around $6,024. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $18,933 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $57,772. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College landed the #10 spot for liberal arts value this year. Set in the town of Orangeburg, Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,210, with out-of-state students paying around $8,354. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $19,407 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College generally make around $61,814. Set against $19,407 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of South Carolina Union landed the #11 spot for liberal arts value this year. Set in the town of Union, University Of South Carolina Union is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,558, while out-of-state students pay about $18,238. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $9,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from University Of South Carolina Union generally make around $18,455. That is a strong return on a $9,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 62%.
University Of South Carolina Sumter ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts schools. University Of South Carolina Sumter is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Sumter. Students from in state pay about $7,558 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,238. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $10,500. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from University Of South Carolina Sumter generally make around $18,517. Set against $10,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of South Carolina Sumter admits about 74% of applicants.
University Of South Carolina Salkehatchie earned the #13 position for value in liberal arts this year. Located in the rural area of Allendale, University Of South Carolina Salkehatchie is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,558, with out-of-state students paying around $18,238. Students borrow a median of $11,588 to complete the liberal arts program here. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $19,438. That is a strong return on a $11,588 median debt. University Of South Carolina Salkehatchie admits about 76% of applicants.
University Of South Carolina Lancaster placed #14 among the best values for liberal arts. University Of South Carolina Lancaster is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Lancaster. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,558, with out-of-state students paying around $18,238. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $11,480. Liberal Arts graduates of University Of South Carolina Lancaster earn a median of $22,995 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,480 median debt. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Piedmont Technical College placed #15 among the best values for liberal arts. Set in the town of Greenwood, Piedmont Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,775, compared with $6,923 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $14,000 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $25,532. Set against $14,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Williamsburg Technical College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Located in the town of Kingstree, Williamsburg Technical College is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $4,488 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,592. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $29,935.
Greenville Technical College landed the #17 spot for liberal arts value this year. Greenville Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Greenville. In-state tuition and fees average $5,495, compared with $10,775 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $12,190 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Greenville Technical College generally make around $27,684. Set against $12,190 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of South Carolina Upstate placed #18 among the best values for liberal arts. Set in the suburb of Spartanburg, University Of South Carolina Upstate is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,588, with out-of-state students paying around $23,090. Students borrow a median of $30,000 to complete the liberal arts program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from University Of South Carolina Upstate generally make around $36,241. That is a strong return on a $30,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 67%.
Coastal Carolina University landed the #19 spot for liberal arts value this year. Located in the city of Conway, Coastal Carolina University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,640, compared with $29,628 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $27,250. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Coastal Carolina University generally make around $27,221. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Spartanburg Methodist College earned the #20 position for value in liberal arts this year. 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. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Liberal Arts graduates of Spartanburg Methodist College earn a median of $14,509 early in their careers. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
University Of South Carolina Beaufort landed the #21 spot for liberal arts value this year. Set in the town of Bluffton, University Of South Carolina Beaufort is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,730, with out-of-state students paying around $21,776. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $27,971 in student loans. Liberal Arts graduates of University Of South Carolina Beaufort earn a median of $38,254 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of South Carolina Beaufort admits about 72% of applicants.
Tri County Technical College earned the #22 position for value in liberal arts this year. Tri County Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Pendleton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,448, while out-of-state students pay about $12,007. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $8,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Tri County Technical College generally make around $22,578. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Technical College Of The Lowcountry placed #23 among the best values for liberal arts. Located in the city of Beaufort, Technical College Of The Lowcountry is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,156, with out-of-state students paying around $11,916. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $9,500. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $28,441. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Bob Jones University ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts schools. 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. Students borrow a median of $20,497 to complete the liberal arts program here. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $40,538. Set against $20,497 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Denmark Technical College placed #25 among the best values for liberal arts. Set in the rural area of Denmark, Denmark Technical College is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,315, with out-of-state students paying around $11,955. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $25,351.
Rest of the Top 28 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in liberal arts:
More Liberal Arts Rankings
View All Liberal Arts Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 28 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.
