2027 Best Liberal Arts Schools in South Carolina
Liberal Arts degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
College Factual analyzed 27 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best liberal arts schools.
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Best Schools for Liberal Arts in South Carolina
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the liberal arts degrees they offer, see the list below.
Top Schools in Liberal Arts
University Of South Carolina Columbia is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in liberal arts. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of South Carolina Columbia is a very large public institution. Roughly 79% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of South Carolina Columbia awarded about 104 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts graduates of University Of South Carolina Columbia earn a median of $33,245 early in their careers. University Of South Carolina Columbia graduates carry a median of $18,000 in student loans.
More information about a degree in liberal arts from University Of South Carolina Columbia
A rank of #2 makes Trident Technical College one of the top schools for liberal arts. Set in the city of Charleston, Trident Technical College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 599 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Trident Technical College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Trident Technical College generally make around $50,166. Typical student debt for the program is $9,376.
See the full liberal arts program report for Trident Technical College
Students looking for a strong liberal arts program will find one at Greenville Technical College, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Greenville, Greenville Technical College is a large public university. About 1,265 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Greenville Technical College in the most recent year. Graduates of the liberal arts program make about $27,684 in their early career. Greenville Technical College graduates carry a median of $12,190 in student loans.
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Midlands Technical College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best liberal arts schools. Midlands Technical College is a large public school located in the suburb of West Columbia. There were roughly 728 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Midlands Technical College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts degree from Midlands Technical College earn around $29,688 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,550.
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York Technical College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Rock Hill, York Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. About 486 liberal arts degrees were awarded at York Technical College in the most recent year. Graduates of the liberal arts program make about $25,586 in their early career. York Technical College graduates carry a median of $8,090 in student loans.
See the full liberal arts program report for York Technical College
University Of South Carolina Beaufort landed the #6 spot for liberal arts this year. University Of South Carolina Beaufort is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Bluffton. Roughly 34% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of South Carolina Beaufort awarded about 33 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts degree from University Of South Carolina Beaufort earn around $38,254 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,971 to complete this degree.
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Coastal Carolina University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best liberal arts schools. Coastal Carolina University is a large public school located in the city of Conway. The six-year graduation rate is 48%. About 64 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Coastal Carolina University in the most recent year. Graduates of the liberal arts program make about $27,221 in their early career. Coastal Carolina University graduates carry a median of $27,250 in student loans.
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Spartanburg Community College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best liberal arts schools. Located in the suburb of Spartanburg, Spartanburg Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Spartanburg Community College awarded about 394 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Spartanburg Community College generally make around $28,222. Typical student debt for the program is $8,250.
More information about a degree in liberal arts from Spartanburg Community College
Tri County Technical College landed the #9 spot for liberal arts this year. Located in the suburb of Pendleton, Tri County Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. There were roughly 1,280 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Tri County Technical College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts degree from Tri County Technical College earn around $22,578 in the first couple years of their career. Tri County Technical College graduates carry a median of $8,750 in student loans.
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Columbia International University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best liberal arts schools. Columbia International University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Columbia. Roughly 46% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 11 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Columbia International University in the most recent year. Liberal Arts graduates of Columbia International University earn a median of $32,296 early in their careers. Columbia International University graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans.
See the full liberal arts program report for Columbia International University
University Of South Carolina Upstate placed #11 among the best liberal arts schools. Set in the suburb of Spartanburg, University Of South Carolina Upstate is a moderately-sized public institution. About 43% of students finish within six years. University Of South Carolina Upstate awarded about 64 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts graduates of University Of South Carolina Upstate earn a median of $36,241 early in their careers. University Of South Carolina Upstate graduates carry a median of $30,000 in student loans.
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North Greenville University placed #12 among the best liberal arts schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the rural area of Tigerville. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. About 27 liberal arts degrees were awarded at North Greenville University in the most recent year. Liberal Arts graduates of North Greenville University earn a median of $29,506 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,500.
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Spartanburg Methodist College placed #13 among the best liberal arts schools. Spartanburg Methodist College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Spartanburg. Spartanburg Methodist College awarded about 171 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts degree from Spartanburg Methodist College earn around $14,509 in the first couple years of their career. Spartanburg Methodist College graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans.
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Horry Georgetown Technical College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best liberal arts schools. This large public university is located in the city of Conway. There were roughly 505 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Horry Georgetown Technical College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts program make about $26,724 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $16,500 to complete this degree.
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University Of South Carolina Lancaster came in at #15 for liberal arts this year. Located in the town of Lancaster, University Of South Carolina Lancaster is a mid-sized public university. About 168 liberal arts degrees were awarded at University Of South Carolina Lancaster in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from University Of South Carolina Lancaster generally make around $22,995. Typical student debt for the program is $11,480.
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Piedmont Technical College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best liberal arts schools. Piedmont Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Greenwood. Piedmont Technical College awarded about 376 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Piedmont Technical College generally make around $25,532. Students borrow a median of $14,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in liberal arts from Piedmont Technical College
Technical College Of The Lowcountry placed #17 among the best liberal arts schools. This mid-sized public university is located in the city of Beaufort. There were roughly 94 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Technical College Of The Lowcountry in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts degree from Technical College Of The Lowcountry earn around $28,441 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $9,500.
See the full liberal arts program report for Technical College Of The Lowcountry
University Of South Carolina Union earned the #18 position for liberal arts this year. University Of South Carolina Union is a small public school located in the town of Union. There were roughly 121 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of South Carolina Union in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts degree from University Of South Carolina Union earn around $18,455 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $9,250.
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University Of South Carolina Salkehatchie earned the #19 position for liberal arts this year. This small public university is located in the rural area of Allendale. University Of South Carolina Salkehatchie awarded about 140 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts program make about $19,438 in their early career. University Of South Carolina Salkehatchie graduates carry a median of $11,588 in student loans.
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Central Carolina Technical College earned the #20 position for liberal arts this year. Located in the city of Sumter, Central Carolina Technical College is a mid-sized public university. About 78 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Central Carolina Technical College in the most recent year. Graduates of the liberal arts program make about $26,254 in their early career. Central Carolina Technical College graduates carry a median of $10,835 in student loans.
More information about a degree in liberal arts from Central Carolina Technical College
Aiken Technical College earned the #21 position for liberal arts this year. Located in the suburb of Graniteville, Aiken Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Aiken Technical College awarded about 118 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts degree from Aiken Technical College earn around $51,894 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $13,325 to complete this degree.
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Northeastern Technical College placed #22 among the best liberal arts schools. This small public university is located in the rural area of Cheraw. There were roughly 184 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Northeastern Technical College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Northeastern Technical College generally make around $57,772. Students borrow a median of $18,933 to complete this degree.
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Florence Darlington Technical College placed #23 among the best liberal arts schools. Set in the rural area of Florence, Florence Darlington Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. There were roughly 79 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Florence Darlington Technical College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Florence Darlington Technical College generally make around $34,948. Florence Darlington Technical College graduates carry a median of $7,230 in student loans.
More information about a degree in liberal arts from Florence Darlington Technical College
University Of South Carolina Sumter ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best liberal arts schools. Set in the city of Sumter, University Of South Carolina Sumter is a mid-sized public institution. University Of South Carolina Sumter awarded about 277 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts program make about $18,517 in their early career. University Of South Carolina Sumter graduates carry a median of $10,500 in student loans.
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Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College landed the #25 spot for liberal arts this year. Located in the town of Orangeburg, Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College is a mid-sized public university. About 174 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College generally make around $61,814. Students borrow a median of $19,407 to complete this degree.
See the full liberal arts program report for Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College
Rest of the Top 27 Liberal Arts Schools
These schools also placed among the best for liberal arts this year:
More Liberal Arts Rankings
View All Liberal Arts Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 27 schools evaluated.
- 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.
