by our College Data Analytics Team
Looking for the best colleges for the money in South Carolina? We have ranked 45 colleges by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. This is our No Aid ranking, which weighs each school’s published sticker price (tuition, fees, and room and board) before financial aid — scroll to Customize Your Rankings to switch views.
To help you make your decision, College Factual reviewed 45 schools to compile this 2026 best-value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
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Our analysis looked at 45 schools in South Carolina to find which ones offer the best value. We steer clear of subjective measures and weigh objective factors instead.
The first step is the school’s combined average tuition, fees, and room and board — the list price before aid is applied (our No Aid ranking). Value also depends on the quality of the education, not just the price. We then balance cost against student outcomes — completion, resources, and earnings after graduation.
The result is a ranking of schools that give you the most for your money. See the full methodology.
Your ideal school depends on your goals and budget. Refine the list by location and field of study, or explore related rankings below. Or choose a degree level:
Here are the top-ranked schools for value:
Leading the list is Trident Technical College, our #1 best value in South Carolina. Based in Charleston, SC, Trident Technical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,546, compared with $8,620 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt is $18,116. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $38,253. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Out of the 45 schools in South Carolina in this year's value ranking, York Technical College landed the #2 spot. Set in Rock Hill, SC, York Technical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,036, while out-of-state students pay about $13,340. The median program debt is $10,907. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $37,257. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes Tri County Technical College one of the best values in South Carolina. Set in Pendleton, SC, Tri County Technical College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,448 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,007. The median program debt is $15,787. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $40,101. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
You'll get strong value at Midlands Technical College, which ranked #4 this year. Based in West Columbia, SC, Midlands Technical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,100, compared with $14,700 for out-of-state students. The median program debt is $17,611. Median earnings reach $38,701 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $17,611 median debt.
You'll get strong value at Horry Georgetown Technical College, which ranked #5 this year. This public school is set in Conway, SC. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,518, while out-of-state students pay about $10,978. Horry Georgetown Technical College students take on a median of $19,172 in debt. Median earnings reach $35,507 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Aiken Technical College placed #6 among the best values in South Carolina. Based in Graniteville, SC, Aiken Technical College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,174 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,924. Graduates carry a median of $17,884 in student loans. Aiken Technical College alumni report median earnings of $39,225 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $17,884 median debt.
Florence Darlington Technical College came in at #7 in this year's value ranking. Florence Darlington Technical College is a public school based in Florence, SC. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,636, compared with $6,772 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,230 to complete their program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $32,748 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $7,230 median debt.
Greenville Technical College placed #8 among the best values in South Carolina. Located in Greenville, SC, Greenville Technical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,495, compared with $10,775 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $16,411 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $39,473. Set against $16,411 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Carolina Technical College landed the #9 spot for value in South Carolina this year. Located in Sumter, SC, Central Carolina Technical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,715, with out-of-state students paying around $9,016. Graduates carry a median of $15,750 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $32,603. Set against $15,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Spartanburg Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #10 position. Based in Spartanburg, SC, Spartanburg Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,071, with out-of-state students paying around $10,135. Spartanburg Community College students take on a median of $10,148 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $37,097 ten years after entry. Set against $10,148 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Technical College Of The Lowcountry landed the #11 spot for value in South Carolina this year. Set in Beaufort, SC, Technical College Of The Lowcountry is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,156, compared with $11,916 for out-of-state students. Technical College Of The Lowcountry students take on a median of $17,110 in debt. Median earnings reach $35,090 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $17,110 median debt.
Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College placed #12 among the best values in South Carolina. Located in Orangeburg, SC, Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,210, while out-of-state students pay about $8,354. The median program debt is $18,583. Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College alumni report median earnings of $35,761 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northeastern Technical College came in at #13 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Cheraw, SC. Students from in state pay about $5,664 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,024 for out-of-state students. Northeastern Technical College students take on a median of $18,933 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $32,141 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $18,933 median debt.
University Of South Carolina Lancaster ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for the money. Set in Lancaster, SC, University Of South Carolina Lancaster is a public institution. 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 $11,592 to complete their program here. University Of South Carolina Lancaster alumni report median earnings of $39,426 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $11,592 median debt. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Carolina Sumter landed the #15 spot for value in South Carolina this year. University Of South Carolina Sumter is a public school based in Sumter, SC. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,558, with out-of-state students paying around $18,238. Students borrow a median of $10,500 to complete their program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $42,437. That is a strong return on a $10,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.
University Of South Carolina Aiken landed the #16 spot for value in South Carolina this year. University Of South Carolina Aiken is a public school based in Aiken, SC. Students from in state pay about $10,760 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,218. Typical student debt is $27,011. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $45,603. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of South Carolina Aiken admits about 78% of applicants.
Piedmont Technical College landed the #17 spot for value in South Carolina this year. Located in Greenwood, SC, Piedmont Technical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,775, with out-of-state students paying around $6,923. Graduates carry a median of $17,652 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $35,768. That is a strong return on a $17,652 median debt.
Williamsburg Technical College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for the money. Based in Kingstree, SC, Williamsburg Technical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,488, with out-of-state students paying around $8,592. Median earnings reach $29,935 ten years out.
University Of South Carolina Upstate placed #19 among the best values in South Carolina. Set in Spartanburg, SC, University Of South Carolina Upstate is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,588, with out-of-state students paying around $23,090. Students borrow a median of $28,000 to complete their program here. University Of South Carolina Upstate alumni report median earnings of $48,587 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $28,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 67%.
University Of South Carolina Union ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for the money. This public school is set in Union, SC. Students from in state pay about $7,558 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,238. The median program debt is $9,250. University Of South Carolina Union alumni report median earnings of $33,699 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $9,250 median debt. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
Coastal Carolina University landed the #21 spot for value in South Carolina this year. This public school is set in Conway, SC. Students from in state pay about $11,640 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $29,628. Typical student debt is $27,174. Median earnings reach $47,258 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $27,174 median debt. Coastal Carolina University admits about 75% of applicants.
Francis Marion University came in at #22 in this year's value ranking. Francis Marion University is a public school based in Florence, SC. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,170, with out-of-state students paying around $21,544. Graduates carry a median of $30,577 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,888. Set against $30,577 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 86% of those who apply are admitted.
Academy For Careers And Technology placed #23 among the best values in South Carolina. Academy For Careers And Technology is a public school based in Mullins, SC. Median earnings reach $46,553 ten years out.
University Of South Carolina Salkehatchie offered strong value this year, earning the #24 position. University Of South Carolina Salkehatchie is a public school based in Allendale, SC. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,558, with out-of-state students paying around $18,238. The median program debt is $11,588. Graduates go on to earn a median of $31,360 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $11,588 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Lander University came in at #25 in this year's value ranking. Based in Greenwood, SC, Lander University is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,700, with out-of-state students paying around $21,300. Graduates carry a median of $26,064 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,396. That is a strong return on a $26,064 median debt. Lander University has an acceptance rate of 81%.
These schools also landed near the top of this year’s value ranking:
*Averages shown above reflect the top 45 ranked schools only.
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs 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 Best Colleges For Money · Scope: State · 45 schools evaluated. References
More about our data sources and methodologies.