by our College Data Analytics Team
With all of the college options in South Carolina, narrowing things down is no easy task. We have ranked **45** institutions by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology.
To help you make your decision, College Factual reviewed 45 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.
The best college for you depends on what you want to study. Refine the list by location and field of study, or explore other rankings below. Or choose a degree level:
Looking to pit your favorite colleges against each other? We built a tool called College Combat to weigh schools on the factors you care about most.
Here are the top-ranked colleges:
Our analysis found Clemson University to be the best college in South Carolina. Clemson University is a public school based in Clemson, SC. Clemson University posts a six-year graduation rate of 87%. In-state tuition and fees average $15,554, while out-of-state students pay about $40,866. Median early-career earnings reach $53,834. Students borrow a median of $23,783 to complete a degree here.
The strong outcomes at Furman University earned it the #2 place in South Carolina. Set in Greenville, SC, Furman University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 79% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $59,770. Median early-career earnings reach $36,520. Furman University students take on a median of $23,764 in debt.
Out of the 45 colleges in South Carolina in this year's ranking, University Of South Carolina Columbia landed the #2 spot. Based in Columbia, SC, University Of South Carolina Columbia is a public institution. University Of South Carolina Columbia graduates 79% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $12,688, compared with $36,298 for out-of-state students. University Of South Carolina Columbia graduates report median early-career earnings of $54,087. The median student debt is $24,472.
Medical University Of South Carolina came in at #4 on this year's Best Colleges ranking in South Carolina. Medical University Of South Carolina is a public school based in Charleston, SC. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,972, with out-of-state students paying around $30,380. Median early-career earnings reach $89,719. Medical University Of South Carolina students take on a median of $29,043 in debt.
You'll be in good company at Citadel Military College Of South Carolina, which ranked #5 this year. This public school is set in Charleston, SC. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. Students from in state pay about $12,570 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $38,508. Graduates go on to earn a median of $52,909 early in their careers. The median student debt is $24,305.
Wofford College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best colleges. Wofford College is a private not-for-profit school based in Spartanburg, SC. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $56,005 in tuition and fees. Early-career graduates earn a median of $41,052. Wofford College students take on a median of $24,643 in debt.
College Of Charleston placed #7 among the best colleges in South Carolina. Located in Charleston, SC, College Of Charleston is a public institution. College Of Charleston graduates 66% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,978, compared with $38,296 for out-of-state students. College Of Charleston graduates report median early-career earnings of $40,222. Typical student debt is $24,733.
Galen Health Institutes Myrtle Beach came in at #8 in this year's ranking. Set in Myrtle Beach, SC, Galen Health Institutes Myrtle Beach is a private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $16,364.
Presbyterian College came in at #9 in this year's ranking. Based in Clinton, SC, Presbyterian College is a private not-for-profit institution. Presbyterian College posts a six-year graduation rate of 49%. In-state tuition and fees average $44,910. Graduates go on to earn a median of $45,393 early in their careers. The median student debt is $25,803.
Anderson University Sc placed #10 among the best colleges in South Carolina. This private not-for-profit school is set in Anderson, SC. Anderson University Sc graduates 66% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,970. Anderson University Sc graduates report median early-career earnings of $49,036. Typical student debt is $28,034.
University Of South Carolina Upstate ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best colleges. Set in Spartanburg, SC, University Of South Carolina Upstate is a public institution. Roughly 43% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,588, with out-of-state students paying around $23,090. Median early-career earnings reach $39,473. University Of South Carolina Upstate students take on a median of $28,000 in debt.
Columbia International University did well this year, earning the #12 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Columbia, SC. The six-year graduation rate is 46%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $27,900. Graduates go on to earn a median of $32,296 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,667 to complete a degree here.
Winthrop University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best colleges. Winthrop University is a public school based in Rock Hill, SC. Winthrop University posts a six-year graduation rate of 57%. Students from in state pay about $14,678 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,676. Graduates go on to earn a median of $39,378 early in their careers. Winthrop University students take on a median of $27,040 in debt.
Erskine College And Seminary ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best colleges. Set in Due West, SC, Erskine College And Seminary is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 45% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $36,710. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $35,695. The median student debt is $27,000.
Coastal Carolina University came in at #15 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Conway, SC. Coastal Carolina University posts a six-year graduation rate of 48%. Students from in state pay about $11,640 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $29,628. Coastal Carolina University graduates report median early-career earnings of $38,272. Typical student debt is $27,174.
Tri County Technical College came in at #16 in this year's ranking. 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. Median early-career earnings reach $43,438. Tri County Technical College students take on a median of $15,787 in debt.
Greenville Technical College came in at #17 in this year's ranking. 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. Median early-career earnings reach $42,177. Graduates carry a median of $16,411 in student loans.
University Of South Carolina Aiken did well this year, earning the #18 position. University Of South Carolina Aiken is a public school based in Aiken, SC. University Of South Carolina Aiken posts a six-year graduation rate of 40%. Students from in state pay about $10,760 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,218. Median early-career earnings reach $42,220. The median student debt is $27,011.
Spartanburg Community College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best colleges. 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. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $41,598. Graduates carry a median of $10,148 in student loans.
Newberry College placed #20 among the best colleges in South Carolina. Newberry College is a private not-for-profit school based in Newberry, SC. Roughly 45% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $31,100. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,702 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,729 to complete a degree here.
North Greenville University came in at #21 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Tigerville, SC. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $25,800 in tuition and fees. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $42,864. North Greenville University students take on a median of $24,128 in debt.
Lander University did well this year, earning the #22 position. Based in Greenwood, SC, Lander University is a public institution. About 50% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,700, with out-of-state students paying around $21,300. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $37,548. Students borrow a median of $26,064 to complete a degree here.
Midlands Technical College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best colleges. 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. Early-career graduates earn a median of $39,610. Midlands Technical College students take on a median of $17,611 in debt.
Charleston Southern University landed the #24 spot in South Carolina this year. Located in Charleston, SC, Charleston Southern University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 47% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $32,520 in tuition and fees. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $46,288. Charleston Southern University students take on a median of $27,569 in debt.
Southern Wesleyan University did well this year, earning the #25 position. Located in Central, SC, Southern Wesleyan University is a private not-for-profit institution. Southern Wesleyan University posts a six-year graduation rate of 57%. In-state tuition and fees average $29,800. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $43,539. Typical student debt is $31,554.
Not far behind, these colleges also landed in the top of this year’s ranking:
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked colleges only.
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Rankings consider 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
More about our data sources and methodologies.