2027 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in South Carolina
[Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 29 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for liberal arts / sciences & humanities students.
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2027 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in South Carolina
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools
Our analysis ranked Trident Technical College the best value for a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities in South Carolina. Trident Technical College is a very large public school located in the city of Charleston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,546, compared with $8,620 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,376 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities 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 / sciences & humanities, landing the #2 spot this year. Spartanburg Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Spartanburg. In-state tuition and fees average $5,071, with out-of-state students paying around $10,135. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $8,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Spartanburg Community College generally make around $28,222. That is a strong return on a $8,250 median debt.
Midlands Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of West Columbia, Midlands Technical College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,100, while out-of-state students pay about $14,700. Students borrow a median of $14,550 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Midlands Technical College earn a median of $29,688 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,550 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes York Technical College one of the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Located in the city of Rock Hill, York Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,036, while out-of-state students pay about $13,340. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $8,090 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $25,586. That is a strong return on a $8,090 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Horry Georgetown Technical College earned it the #5 place for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Horry Georgetown Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Conway. Students from in state pay about $5,518 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,978. Students borrow a median of $16,500 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Horry Georgetown Technical College generally make around $26,724. Set against $16,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Florence Darlington Technical College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the rural area of Florence, Florence Darlington Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,636, compared with $6,772 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $7,230 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Florence Darlington Technical College earn a median of $34,948 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,230 median debt.
Aiken Technical College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the suburb of Graniteville, Aiken Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,174, compared with $7,924 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $13,325 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $51,894. Set against $13,325 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Carolina Technical College landed the #8 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Located in the city of Sumter, Central Carolina Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,715 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,016. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $10,835 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Central Carolina Technical College generally make around $26,254. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northeastern Technical College came in at #9 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the rural area of Cheraw, Northeastern Technical College is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,664, with out-of-state students paying around $6,024. Students borrow a median of $18,933 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $57,772. Set against $18,933 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of South Carolina Union placed #10 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Set in the town of Union, University Of South Carolina Union is a small public institution. 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 / sciences & humanities graduates is $9,250. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of University Of South Carolina Union earn a median of $18,455 early in their careers. Set against $9,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. 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. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $19,407. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College earn a median of $61,814 early in their careers. Set against $19,407 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of South Carolina Sumter earned the #12 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. University Of South Carolina Sumter is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Sumter. In-state tuition and fees average $7,558, while out-of-state students pay about $18,238. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $10,500. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $18,517. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.
University Of South Carolina Salkehatchie ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Located in the rural area of Allendale, University Of South Carolina Salkehatchie is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $7,558 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,238. Students borrow a median of $11,588 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities 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 Lancaster landed the #14 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Set in the town of Lancaster, University Of South Carolina Lancaster is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,558, while out-of-state students pay about $18,238. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $11,480. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $22,995. That is a strong return on a $11,480 median debt. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Greenville Technical College landed the #15 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Greenville Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Greenville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,495, compared with $10,775 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,190 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Greenville Technical College earn a median of $27,684 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Piedmont Technical College placed #16 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Located in the town of Greenwood, Piedmont Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,775, while out-of-state students pay about $6,923. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $14,000 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Piedmont Technical College earn a median of $25,532 early in their careers. Set against $14,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Williamsburg Technical College earned the #17 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the town of Kingstree, Williamsburg Technical College is a small public institution. 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 placed #18 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. University Of South Carolina Upstate is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Spartanburg. Students from in state pay about $11,588 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $23,090. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $30,000. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from University Of South Carolina Upstate generally make around $36,241. Set against $30,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of South Carolina Upstate admits about 67% of applicants.
Coastal Carolina University placed #19 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Located in the city of Conway, Coastal Carolina University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,640, compared with $29,628 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $27,250. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $27,221. Set against $27,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Coastal Carolina University admits about 75% of applicants.
University Of South Carolina Beaufort placed #20 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. University Of South Carolina Beaufort is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Bluffton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,730, with out-of-state students paying around $21,776. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $27,971 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $38,254. Set against $27,971 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Spartanburg Methodist College ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Located in the suburb of Spartanburg, Spartanburg Methodist College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,650. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Spartanburg Methodist College generally make around $14,509. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Tri County Technical College placed #22 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Tri County Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Pendleton. In-state tuition and fees average $4,448, with out-of-state students paying around $12,007. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $8,750 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Tri County Technical College earn a median of $22,578 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,750 median debt.
Technical College Of The Lowcountry ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. 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, compared with $11,916 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $9,500. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $28,441. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of Charleston ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. College Of Charleston is a large public school located in the city of Charleston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,978, with out-of-state students paying around $38,296. Students borrow a median of $24,733 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $40,222. That is a strong return on a $24,733 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Bob Jones University landed the #25 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value 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. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $20,497 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities 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 / Sciences & Humanities Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities:
More Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Rankings
View All Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities 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.
