by our College Data Analytics TeamIf you’re seeking a diverse and multi-faceted college experience, you’ve come to the right place. We have ranked 87 colleges by economic diversity in South Carolina, using our 2026 methodology.
This ranking is based on the economic backgrounds of the student body (the mix of income levels). To help you decide, College Factual analyzed 87 colleges, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). Learn more about our ranking methodology.
Not every student measures diversity the same way. Drill down by location, or explore the overall, racial-ethnic, gender, economic, and age diversity rankings, or other rankings below.
Looking to pit your favorite colleges against each other? We built a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter most to you.
Here are the top-ranked colleges:
Southern Wesleyan University earned the #1 spot in this year's Most Economically Diverse Colleges ranking in South Carolina. Southern Wesleyan University scores 100.0 out of 100 for economic diversity. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 46.9, and gender diversity 89.4.
Galen Health Institutes-Myrtle Beach came in at #2 on this year's Most Economically Diverse Colleges ranking in South Carolina. Galen Health Institutes-Myrtle Beach scores 100.0 out of 100 for economic diversity. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 59.9, with a gender-diversity score of 39.5.
Charleston Cosmetology Institute earned the #3 place in South Carolina. It scores 100.0 out of 100 for economic diversity. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 53.5, and gender diversity 24.7.
Denmark Technical College came in at #4 on this year's Most Economically Diverse Colleges ranking in South Carolina. Denmark Technical College scores 100.0 out of 100 for economic diversity. Racial-ethnic diversity scores 36.9, with a gender-diversity score of 96.3.
A rank of #5 makes Newberry College one of the most economically diverse colleges in South Carolina. On economic diversity, it scores 100.0 out of 100. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 60.1, with a gender-diversity score of 99.5.
Spartanburg Community College placed #6 among the most economically diverse colleges in South Carolina. The school's economic diversity score is 100.0 out of 100. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 56.7, with a gender-diversity score of 94.8.
Southeastern Esthetics Institute earned the #7 position in South Carolina. Southeastern Esthetics Institute scores 99.9 out of 100 for economic diversity. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 52.3, with a gender-diversity score of 7.5.
Francis Marion University came in at #8 in this year's ranking. It scores 99.9 out of 100 for economic diversity. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 58.0, alongside a 92.3 gender-diversity score.
Horry-Georgetown Technical College earned the #9 position in South Carolina. Horry-Georgetown Technical College scores 99.9 out of 100 for economic diversity. Racial-ethnic diversity scores 51.3, and gender diversity 93.9.
University of South Carolina-Sumter earned the #10 position in South Carolina. On economic diversity, it scores 99.9 out of 100. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 58.2, and gender diversity 98.7.
University of South Carolina-Union came in at #11 in this year's ranking. University of South Carolina-Union scores 99.9 out of 100 for economic diversity. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 54.5, with a gender-diversity score of 99.4.
University of South Carolina-Upstate ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the most economically diverse colleges. The school's economic diversity score is 99.9 out of 100. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 61.2, alongside a 91.4 gender-diversity score.
Miller-Motte College-Conway earned the #13 position in South Carolina. On economic diversity, it scores 99.9 out of 100. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 48.8, with a gender-diversity score of 95.2.
Erskine College earned the #14 position in South Carolina. Erskine College scores 99.7 out of 100 for economic diversity. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 61.4, and gender diversity 87.8.
Barber Tech Academy came in at #15 in this year's ranking. Barber Tech Academy scores 99.7 out of 100 for economic diversity.
Technical College of the Lowcountry placed #16 among the most economically diverse colleges in South Carolina. Technical College of the Lowcountry scores 99.5 out of 100 for economic diversity. Racial-ethnic diversity scores 60.0, and gender diversity 90.1.
Paul Mitchell the School Charleston ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the most economically diverse colleges. It scores 99.5 out of 100 for economic diversity. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 47.0, and gender diversity 14.7.
LeGrand Institute of Cosmetology Inc ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the most economically diverse colleges. LeGrand Institute of Cosmetology Inc scores 99.3 out of 100 for economic diversity.
Columbia College earned the #19 position in South Carolina. The school's economic diversity score is 99.3 out of 100. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 63.5, alongside a 62.4 gender-diversity score.
Limestone University earned the #20 position in South Carolina. The school's economic diversity score is 99.3 out of 100. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 70.2, and gender diversity 99.7.
University of South Carolina-Salkehatchie landed the #21 spot in South Carolina this year. On economic diversity, it scores 99.3 out of 100. Racial-ethnic diversity scores 63.2, with a gender-diversity score of 95.0.
Winthrop University earned the #22 position in South Carolina. It scores 99.3 out of 100 for economic diversity. Racial-ethnic diversity scores 55.7, and gender diversity 89.1.
Columbia International University came in at #23 in this year's ranking. It scores 99.0 out of 100 for economic diversity. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 69.3, and gender diversity 99.3.
Greenville Technical College came in at #24 in this year's ranking. Greenville Technical College scores 99.0 out of 100 for economic diversity. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 59.1, alongside a 96.6 gender-diversity score.
Central Carolina Technical College placed #25 among the most economically diverse colleges in South Carolina. Central Carolina Technical College scores 99.0 out of 100 for economic diversity. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 49.1, and gender diversity 88.7.
Not far behind, these colleges also rank among the most economically diverse this year:
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked colleges only.
We measure this ranking on the economic backgrounds of the student body (the mix of income levels). The racial-ethnic minorities percentage is calculated by taking the total number of students, subtracting white students, international students, and students whose race/ethnicity is unknown, and dividing by total enrollment.
This list is compiled by College Factual, 2026 edition.
References
Read more about our data sources and methodologies.
