by our College Data Analytics TeamColumbia International University ranks #1 of 29 colleges in College Factual’s 2027 Best Associate’s Degree Colleges in South Carolina ranking, which scores schools on more than 20 measures of academic quality and student outcomes. The top 25 colleges average a 33% six-year graduation rate and $48,934 in median earnings five years after graduation.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
With all of the college options in South Carolina, narrowing things down is no easy task. This list ranks **29** schools by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2027 methodology.
So you can compare your options, College Factual reviewed 29 colleges across over 20 objective factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, and per-student spending, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). Learn more about our ranking methodology.
Columbia International University leads the 29 ranked colleges in South Carolina, followed by Galen Health Institutes Myrtle Beach (#2) and Tri County Technical College (#3). Here are the top-ranked colleges:
No school ranked higher than Columbia International University this year in South Carolina. This private not-for-profit school is set in Columbia, SC. The six-year graduation rate is 46%. In-state tuition and fees average $27,900. Graduates go on to earn a median of $32,296 early in their careers. Graduates carry a median of $21,667 in student loans.
The strong outcomes at Galen Health Institutes Myrtle Beach earned it the #2 place in South Carolina. Galen Health Institutes Myrtle Beach is a private for-profit school based in Myrtle Beach, SC. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,364. Graduates go on to earn a median of $68,114 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $34,859 to complete a degree here.
You'll be in good company at Tri County Technical College, which ranked #3 this year. Tri County Technical College is a public school based in Pendleton, SC. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,448, while out-of-state students pay about $12,007. Early-career graduates earn a median of $43,438. The median student debt is $15,787.
Out of the 29 colleges in South Carolina in this year's ranking, Midlands Technical College landed the #4 spot. Located in West Columbia, SC, Midlands Technical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,100, compared with $14,700 for out-of-state students. Median early-career earnings reach $39,610. Students borrow a median of $17,611 to complete a degree here.
Spartanburg Community College came in at #5 on this year's Best Colleges ranking in South Carolina. Spartanburg Community College is a public school based in Spartanburg, SC. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,071, while out-of-state students pay about $10,135. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,598 early in their careers. Graduates carry a median of $10,148 in student loans.
Greenville Technical College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. Set in Greenville, SC, Greenville Technical College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,495, compared with $10,775 for out-of-state students. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $42,177. Students borrow a median of $16,411 to complete a degree here.
Trident Technical College placed #7 among the best colleges in South Carolina. Trident Technical College is a public school based in Charleston, SC. In-state tuition and fees average $4,546, with out-of-state students paying around $8,620. Graduates go on to earn a median of $50,166 early in their careers. Typical student debt is $18,116.
York Technical College did well this year, earning the #8 position. Set in Rock Hill, SC, York Technical College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,036, compared with $13,340 for out-of-state students. Median early-career earnings reach $37,626. The median student debt is $10,907.
Spartanburg Methodist College landed the #9 spot in South Carolina this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Spartanburg, SC. In-state tuition and fees run about $20,650. Early-career graduates earn a median of $14,509. The median student debt is $12,000.
Aiken Technical College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. Set in Graniteville, SC, Aiken Technical College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,174, while out-of-state students pay about $7,924. Aiken Technical College graduates report median early-career earnings of $51,894. The median student debt is $17,884.
University Of South Carolina Lancaster did well this year, earning the #11 position. University Of South Carolina Lancaster is a public school based in Lancaster, SC. In-state tuition and fees average $7,558, with out-of-state students paying around $18,238. University Of South Carolina Lancaster graduates report median early-career earnings of $44,067. Graduates carry a median of $11,592 in student loans.
Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College came in at #12 in this year's ranking. Based in Orangeburg, SC, Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,210, compared with $8,354 for out-of-state students. Median early-career earnings reach $61,814. Students borrow a median of $18,583 to complete a degree here.
Horry Georgetown Technical College placed #13 among the best colleges in South Carolina. Set in Conway, SC, Horry Georgetown Technical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,518, while out-of-state students pay about $10,978. Median early-career earnings reach $37,387. Horry Georgetown Technical College students take on a median of $19,172 in debt.
Strayer University South Carolina landed the #14 spot in South Carolina this year. Based in Greenville, SC, Strayer University South Carolina is a private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $13,920 in tuition and fees. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $58,506. Students borrow a median of $47,631 to complete a degree here.
University Of South Carolina Sumter came in at #15 in this year's ranking. University Of South Carolina Sumter is a public school based in Sumter, SC. Students from in state pay about $7,558 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,238 for out-of-state students. Early-career graduates earn a median of $18,517. The median student debt is $10,500.
Central Carolina Technical College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. Located in Sumter, SC, Central Carolina Technical College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,715, while out-of-state students pay about $9,016. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $40,598. Typical student debt is $15,750.
Piedmont Technical College did well this year, earning the #17 position. Located in Greenwood, SC, Piedmont Technical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,775, compared with $6,923 for out-of-state students. Early-career graduates earn a median of $36,577. Graduates carry a median of $17,652 in student loans.
Technical College Of The Lowcountry did well this year, earning the #18 position. Technical College Of The Lowcountry is a public school based in Beaufort, SC. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,156, while out-of-state students pay about $11,916. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $44,556. The median student debt is $17,110.
Northeastern Technical College did well this year, earning the #19 position. Located in Cheraw, SC, Northeastern Technical College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,664, compared with $6,024 for out-of-state students. Northeastern Technical College graduates report median early-career earnings of $57,772. Northeastern Technical College students take on a median of $18,933 in debt.
University Of South Carolina Union ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. Set in Union, SC, University Of South Carolina Union is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,558, with out-of-state students paying around $18,238. Median early-career earnings reach $18,455. Graduates carry a median of $9,250 in student loans.
University Of South Carolina Salkehatchie placed #21 among the best colleges in South Carolina. Located in Allendale, SC, University Of South Carolina Salkehatchie is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,558, with out-of-state students paying around $18,238. Median early-career earnings reach $19,438. Graduates carry a median of $11,588 in student loans.
Florence Darlington Technical College did well this year, earning the #22 position. Based in Florence, SC, Florence Darlington Technical College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,636, with out-of-state students paying around $6,772. Early-career graduates earn a median of $34,948. Florence Darlington Technical College students take on a median of $7,230 in debt.
South University Columbia ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. South University Columbia is a private for-profit school based in Columbia, SC. About 21% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $17,895. South University Columbia graduates report median early-career earnings of $51,329. Graduates carry a median of $50,781 in student loans.
Williamsburg Technical College placed #24 among the best colleges in South Carolina. Williamsburg Technical College is a public school based in Kingstree, SC. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,488, compared with $8,592 for out-of-state students.
Denmark Technical College came in at #25 in this year's ranking. Based in Denmark, SC, Denmark Technical College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,315, compared with $11,955 for out-of-state students.
These 4 colleges rank #26 through #29 of 29 in South Carolina. These colleges rounded out the top of the list:
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked colleges only.
These rankings are produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and per-student spending drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
References
See our data sources and methodologies.