by our College Data Analytics Team
With all of the graduate school options in South Carolina, it can be hard to know where to start. This list ranks **9** graduate schools by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology.
So you can compare your options, College Factual reviewed 9 graduate schools using more than 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.
Here is the early-career salary range across the top-ranked graduate schools:
Learn more about these excellent graduate schools below:
Clemson University earned the #1 spot in this year's Best Graduate Schools ranking in South Carolina. Clemson University is a public school based in Clemson, SC. Clemson University graduates 87% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,554, with out-of-state students paying around $40,866. Median early-career earnings reach $53,834. Typical student debt is $23,783.
The strong outcomes at University Of South Carolina Columbia earned it the #2 place in South Carolina. Set in Columbia, SC, University Of South Carolina Columbia is a public institution. Roughly 79% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,688, with out-of-state students paying around $36,298. Graduates go on to earn a median of $54,087 early in their careers. The median student debt is $24,472.
The strong outcomes at Medical University Of South Carolina earned it the #3 place in South Carolina. Based in Charleston, SC, Medical University Of South Carolina is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $16,972, while out-of-state students pay about $30,380. Early-career graduates earn a median of $89,719. The median student debt is $29,043.
Out of the 9 graduate schools in South Carolina in this year's ranking, Erskine College And Seminary landed the #4 spot. This private not-for-profit school is set in Due West, SC. Erskine College And Seminary graduates 45% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $36,710. Erskine College And Seminary graduates report median early-career earnings of $35,695. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
A rank of #5 makes Columbia International University one of the top graduate schools in South Carolina. Located in Columbia, SC, Columbia International University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 46% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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.
Anderson University Sc came in at #6 in this year's ranking. Based in Anderson, SC, Anderson University Sc is a private not-for-profit institution. Anderson University Sc graduates 66% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $34,970. Anderson University Sc graduates report median early-career earnings of $49,036. The median student debt is $28,034.
Coastal Carolina University placed #7 among the best graduate schools in South Carolina. This public school is set in Conway, SC. Roughly 48% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $11,640, with out-of-state students paying around $29,628. Median early-career earnings reach $38,272. Typical student debt is $27,174.
Charleston Southern University placed #8 among the best graduate schools in South Carolina. Set in Charleston, SC, Charleston Southern University is a private not-for-profit institution. Charleston Southern University graduates 47% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $32,520. Graduates go on to earn a median of $46,288 early in their careers. The median student debt is $27,569.
North Greenville University landed the #9 spot in South Carolina this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Tigerville, SC. About 54% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,800. Early-career graduates earn a median of $42,864. North Greenville University students take on a median of $24,128 in debt.
Converse College landed the #10 spot in South Carolina this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Spartanburg, SC. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. Students from in state pay about $25,240 in tuition and fees. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $38,940. The median student debt is $26,715.
South Carolina State University did well this year, earning the #11 position. This public school is set in Orangeburg, SC. The six-year graduation rate is 37%. In-state tuition and fees average $11,060, while out-of-state students pay about $21,750. Graduates go on to earn a median of $39,914 early in their careers. The median student debt is $31,740.
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked graduate schools 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
See our data sources and methodologies.