2026 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in South Carolina
[Liberal Arts](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/liberal-arts/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 35 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value liberal arts schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in South Carolina
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in liberal arts, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Liberal Arts Schools
Our analysis ranked Trident Technical College the best value for a degree in liberal arts in South Carolina. Trident Technical College is a very large public school located in the city of Charleston. Students from in state pay about $4,546 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,620. Students borrow a median of $9,376 to complete the liberal arts program here. Liberal Arts graduates of Trident Technical College earn a median of $50,166 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,376 median debt.
York Technical College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts schools. York Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Rock Hill. Students from in state pay about $8,036 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $13,340. Students borrow a median of $8,090 to complete the liberal arts program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from York Technical College generally make around $25,586. Set against $8,090 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Horry Georgetown Technical College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Located in the city of Conway, Horry Georgetown Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,518, with out-of-state students paying around $10,978. 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.
A rank of #4 makes Midlands Technical College one of the best values for liberal arts. Located in the suburb of West Columbia, Midlands Technical College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,100, with out-of-state students paying around $14,700. Students borrow a median of $14,550 to complete the liberal arts program here. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $29,688. Set against $14,550 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Florence Darlington Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the rural area of Florence, Florence Darlington Technical College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,636, while out-of-state students pay about $6,772. Students borrow a median of $7,230 to complete the liberal arts program here. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $34,948. That is a strong return on a $7,230 median debt.
Central Carolina Technical College earned the #6 position for value in liberal arts this year. Set in the city of Sumter, Central Carolina Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,715, compared with $9,016 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,835 to complete the liberal arts program here. Liberal Arts graduates of Central Carolina Technical College earn a median of $26,254 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,835 median debt.
Tri County Technical College placed #7 among the best values for liberal arts. Set in the suburb of Pendleton, Tri County Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,448, while out-of-state students pay about $12,007. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $8,750. Liberal Arts graduates of Tri County Technical College earn a median of $22,578 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Aiken Technical College came in at #8 for value in liberal arts this year. Located in the suburb of Graniteville, Aiken Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,174 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,924. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $13,325 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $51,894. Set against $13,325 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Greenville Technical College landed the #9 spot for liberal arts value this year. Greenville Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Greenville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,495, while out-of-state students pay about $10,775. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $12,190. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Greenville Technical College generally make around $27,684. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Technical College Of The Lowcountry ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Set in the city of Beaufort, Technical College Of The Lowcountry is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,156, while out-of-state students pay about $11,916. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the liberal arts program here. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $28,441. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Spartanburg Community College earned the #11 position for value in liberal arts this year. Set in the suburb of Spartanburg, Spartanburg Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,071, compared with $10,135 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $8,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Spartanburg Community College generally make around $28,222. That is a strong return on a $8,250 median debt.
Northeastern Technical College placed #12 among the best values for liberal arts. Northeastern Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Cheraw. In-state tuition and fees average $5,664, with out-of-state students paying around $6,024. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $18,933. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $57,772. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Williamsburg Technical College earned the #13 position for value in liberal arts this year. 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. Graduates go on to earn a median of $29,935 ten years after entry.
Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College earned the #14 position for value in liberal arts this year. Set in the town of Orangeburg, Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,210, while out-of-state students pay about $8,354. Students borrow a median of $19,407 to complete the liberal arts program here. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $61,814. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of South Carolina Sumter came in at #15 for value in liberal arts this year. Set in the city of Sumter, University Of South Carolina Sumter is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,558, with out-of-state students paying around $18,238. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $10,500. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $18,517. That is a strong return on a $10,500 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Carolina Lancaster came in at #16 for value in liberal arts this year. University Of South Carolina Lancaster is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Lancaster. In-state tuition and fees average $7,558, compared with $18,238 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,480 to complete the liberal arts program here. 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. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Piedmont Technical College came in at #17 for value in liberal arts this year. Piedmont Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Greenwood. In-state tuition and fees average $4,775, while out-of-state students pay about $6,923. Students borrow a median of $14,000 to complete the liberal arts program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Piedmont Technical College generally make around $25,532. Set against $14,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of South Carolina Union earned the #18 position for value in liberal arts this year. University Of South Carolina Union is a small public school located in the town of Union. In-state tuition and fees average $7,558, with out-of-state students paying around $18,238. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $9,250. Liberal Arts graduates of University Of South Carolina Union earn a median of $18,455 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 62%.
University Of South Carolina Salkehatchie placed #19 among the best values for liberal arts. Set in the rural area of Allendale, University Of South Carolina Salkehatchie is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,558, compared with $18,238 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $11,588. Liberal Arts graduates of University Of South Carolina Salkehatchie earn a median of $19,438 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,588 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
University Of South Carolina Upstate ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts schools. University Of South Carolina Upstate is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Spartanburg. In-state tuition and fees average $11,588, while out-of-state students pay about $23,090. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $30,000 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $36,241. That is a strong return on a $30,000 median debt. University Of South Carolina Upstate admits about 67% of applicants.
Coastal Carolina University placed #21 among the best values for liberal arts. Located in the city of Conway, Coastal Carolina University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,640, while out-of-state students pay about $29,628. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $27,250. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $27,221. Set against $27,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Francis Marion University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Set in the rural area of Florence, Francis Marion University is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,170, with out-of-state students paying around $21,544. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $41,475 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Francis Marion University generally make around $21,838. Set against $41,475 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Francis Marion University admits about 86% of applicants.
Lander University landed the #23 spot for liberal arts value this year. Lander University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Greenwood. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,700, while out-of-state students pay about $21,300. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $27,125 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $25,204. Set against $27,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.
University Of South Carolina Beaufort landed the #24 spot for liberal arts value this year. Set in the town of Bluffton, University Of South Carolina Beaufort is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,730 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,776. Students borrow a median of $27,971 to complete the liberal arts program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from University Of South Carolina Beaufort generally make around $38,254. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Spartanburg Methodist College earned the #25 position for value in liberal arts this year. Spartanburg Methodist College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Spartanburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,650. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the liberal arts program here. Liberal Arts graduates of Spartanburg Methodist College earn a median of $14,509 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Rest of the Top 30 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for liberal arts this year:
More Liberal Arts Rankings
View All Liberal Arts Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 35 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 24 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.
