2027 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in South Carolina
[Liberal Arts General Studies](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong liberal arts general studies education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 29 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value liberal arts general studies schools.
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2027 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in South Carolina
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in liberal arts general studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools
Trident Technical College tops our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools in South Carolina. Trident Technical College is a very large public school located in the city of Charleston. In-state tuition and fees average $4,546, compared with $8,620 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,376 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Trident Technical College generally make around $50,166. That is a strong return on a $9,376 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Spartanburg Community College earned it the #2 place for liberal arts general studies. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $10,135. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $8,250 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $28,222. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes Midlands Technical College one of the best values for liberal arts general studies. Midlands Technical College is a large public school located in the suburb of West Columbia. In-state tuition and fees average $5,100, while out-of-state students pay about $14,700. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $14,550 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Midlands Technical College generally make around $29,688. Set against $14,550 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at York Technical College earned it the #4 place for liberal arts general studies. Located in the city of Rock Hill, York Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,036 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $13,340. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $8,090. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $25,586. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Horry Georgetown Technical College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the city of Conway, Horry Georgetown Technical College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,518, compared with $10,978 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,500 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Horry Georgetown Technical College earn a median of $26,724 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,500 median debt.
Florence Darlington Technical College placed #6 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $6,772. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $7,230. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $34,948. That is a strong return on a $7,230 median debt.
Aiken Technical College landed the #7 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Set in the suburb of Graniteville, Aiken Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,174 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,924. Students borrow a median of $13,325 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Aiken Technical College generally make around $51,894. Set against $13,325 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Carolina Technical College earned the #8 position for value in liberal arts general studies 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. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $10,835. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $26,254. That is a strong return on a $10,835 median debt.
Northeastern Technical College landed the #9 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Northeastern Technical College is a small public school located in the rural area of Cheraw. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,664, with out-of-state students paying around $6,024. Students borrow a median of $18,933 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Northeastern Technical College earn a median of $57,772 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of South Carolina Union came in at #10 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. University Of South Carolina Union is a small public school located in the town of Union. Students from in state pay about $7,558 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,238. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $9,250. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $18,455. Set against $9,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College came in at #11 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Orangeburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,210, compared with $8,354 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $19,407. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College generally make around $61,814. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of South Carolina Sumter came in at #12 for value in liberal arts general studies 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, compared with $18,238 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $10,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from University Of South Carolina Sumter generally make around $18,517. That is a strong return on a $10,500 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Carolina Salkehatchie earned the #13 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the rural area of Allendale, University Of South Carolina Salkehatchie is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,558, while out-of-state students pay about $18,238. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $11,588. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from University Of South Carolina Salkehatchie generally make around $19,438. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of South Carolina Salkehatchie admits about 76% of applicants.
University Of South Carolina Lancaster landed the #14 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Located in the town of Lancaster, University Of South Carolina Lancaster is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,558, compared with $18,238 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $11,480 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $22,995. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Greenville Technical College earned the #15 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the city of Greenville, Greenville Technical College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,495, with out-of-state students paying around $10,775. Students borrow a median of $12,190 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $27,684. Set against $12,190 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Piedmont Technical College came in at #16 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $6,923. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $14,000 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $25,532. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Williamsburg Technical College came in at #17 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the town of Kingstree, Williamsburg Technical College is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,488, compared with $8,592 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $29,935 ten years after entry.
University Of South Carolina Upstate earned the #18 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. University Of South Carolina Upstate is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Spartanburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,588, while out-of-state students pay about $23,090. Students borrow a median of $30,000 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of University Of South Carolina Upstate earn a median of $36,241 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $30,000 median debt. University Of South Carolina Upstate admits about 67% of applicants.
Coastal Carolina University ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the city of Conway, Coastal Carolina University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,640, while out-of-state students pay about $29,628. Students borrow a median of $27,250 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Coastal Carolina University earn a median of $27,221 early in their careers. Set against $27,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.
University Of South Carolina Beaufort ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the town of Bluffton, University Of South Carolina Beaufort is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,730, compared with $21,776 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $27,971 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from University Of South Carolina Beaufort generally make around $38,254. That is a strong return on a $27,971 median debt. University Of South Carolina Beaufort admits about 72% of applicants.
Spartanburg Methodist College landed the #21 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Set in the suburb of Spartanburg, Spartanburg Methodist College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,650. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $12,000. Liberal Arts General Studies 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. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Tri County Technical College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $12,007. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $8,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Tri County Technical College generally make around $22,578. Set against $8,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Technical College Of The Lowcountry came in at #23 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the city of Beaufort, Technical College Of The Lowcountry is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,156, while out-of-state students pay about $11,916. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts 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.
College Of Charleston placed #24 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Set in the city of Charleston, College Of Charleston is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,978, while out-of-state students pay about $38,296. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $24,733. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of College Of Charleston earn a median of $40,222 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Bob Jones University earned the #25 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the city of Greenville, Bob Jones University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $22,892. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $20,497. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Bob Jones University earn a median of $40,538 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 29 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for liberal arts general studies this year:
More Liberal Arts General Studies Rankings
View All Liberal Arts General Studies Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 29 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 29 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.
