2027 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in South Carolina
[Physical Sciences](/majors/physical-sciences/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 7 schools to find the best return on investment for physical sciences students.
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2027 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in South Carolina
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the physical sciences degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Physical Sciences Schools
Leading the list is Winthrop University, our #1 best value for physical sciences in South Carolina. Set in the city of Rock Hill, Winthrop University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,678, while out-of-state students pay about $28,676. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,037 in student loans. Physical Sciences graduates of Winthrop University earn a median of $39,378 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Wofford College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Wofford College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Spartanburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $56,005. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $24,643 in student loans. Physical Sciences graduates of Wofford College earn a median of $41,052 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,643 median debt. Roughly 52% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes College Of Charleston one of the best values for physical sciences. Located in the city of Charleston, College Of Charleston is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,978 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $38,296. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,846 in student loans. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $42,969. Set against $26,846 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Citadel Military College Of South Carolina earned it the #4 place for physical sciences. Citadel Military College Of South Carolina is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Charleston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,570, with out-of-state students paying around $38,508. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $24,305 in student loans. Physical Sciences graduates of Citadel Military College Of South Carolina earn a median of $52,909 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,305 median debt. The acceptance rate is 23%.
Clemson University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Set in the suburb of Clemson, Clemson University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,554 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,866 for out-of-state students. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $53,834. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 38%.
University Of South Carolina Columbia placed #6 among the best values for physical sciences. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of South Carolina Columbia is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,688, while out-of-state students pay about $36,298. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $25,493 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from University Of South Carolina Columbia generally make around $58,475. That is a strong return on a $25,493 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Furman University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Located in the suburb of Greenville, Furman University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $59,770 in tuition and fees. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $23,764 in student loans. Physical Sciences graduates of Furman University earn a median of $36,520 early in their careers. Set against $23,764 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Furman University admits about 43% of applicants.
More Physical Sciences Rankings
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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.
