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. We have ranked **13** schools by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2027 methodology.
To help you make your decision, College Factual reviewed 13 graduate schools on more than 20 objective measures 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 top-ranked graduate schools span the following early-career salary range:
Here are the top-ranked graduate schools:
No school ranked higher than Clemson University this year in South Carolina. Clemson University is a public school based in Clemson, SC. About 87% of students finish 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. The median student debt is $23,783.
You'll be in good company at University Of South Carolina Columbia, which ranked #2 this year. This public school is set in Columbia, SC. Roughly 79% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,688, compared with $36,298 for out-of-state students. University Of South Carolina Columbia graduates report median early-career earnings of $53,623. University Of South Carolina Columbia students take on a median of $24,537 in debt.
You'll be in good company at Medical University Of South Carolina, which ranked #3 this year. Medical University Of South Carolina is a public school based in Charleston, SC. 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. Medical University Of South Carolina students take on a median of $29,043 in debt.
Presbyterian College came in at #4 on this year's Best Graduate Schools ranking in South Carolina. Presbyterian College is a private not-for-profit school based in Clinton, SC. Presbyterian College posts a six-year graduation rate of 49%. In-state tuition and fees average $44,910. Early-career graduates earn a median of $45,393. Graduates carry a median of $25,803 in student loans.
A rank of #5 makes Anderson University Sc one of the top graduate schools in South Carolina. Based in Anderson, SC, Anderson University Sc is a private not-for-profit institution. Anderson University Sc posts a six-year graduation rate of 66%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,970. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $49,036. Anderson University Sc students take on a median of $28,034 in debt.
Columbia International University did well this year, earning the #6 position. Set in Columbia, SC, Columbia International University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 46% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $27,900. Columbia International University graduates report median early-career earnings of $32,296. The median student debt is $21,667.
Southern Wesleyan University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best graduate schools. 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 run about $29,800. Early-career graduates earn a median of $43,539. Southern Wesleyan University students take on a median of $31,554 in debt.
Charleston Southern University did well this year, earning the #8 position. Located in Charleston, SC, Charleston Southern University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 47% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $32,520. Graduates go on to earn a median of $46,288 early in their careers. Typical student debt is $27,569.
North Greenville University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best graduate schools. Based in Tigerville, SC, North Greenville University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 54% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,800. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $42,864. Students borrow a median of $24,128 to complete a degree here.
Converse College landed the #10 spot in South Carolina this year. Located in Spartanburg, SC, Converse College is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,240. Early-career graduates earn a median of $38,940. Converse College students take on a median of $26,715 in debt.
Francis Marion University came in at #11 in this year's ranking. Located in Florence, SC, Francis Marion University is a public institution. Francis Marion University graduates 43% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,170, compared with $21,544 for out-of-state students. Early-career graduates earn a median of $41,456. Typical student debt is $30,577.
South Carolina State University did well this year, earning the #12 position. South Carolina State University is a public school based in Orangeburg, SC. South Carolina State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 37%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,060, with out-of-state students paying around $21,750. Early-career graduates earn a median of $39,914. Graduates carry a median of $31,740 in student loans.
Charleston School Of Law did well this year, earning the #13 position. Located in Charleston, SC, Charleston School Of Law is a private for-profit institution. Graduates go on to earn a median of $46,657 early in their careers.
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked graduate schools only.
This list is compiled 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.