10 Best Colleges in South Carolina: South Carolina is home to some of the largest universities in the world. Many tiny liberal arts colleges including The Citadel, a publicly funded military college, are located in South Carolina.
South Carolina is home to prestigious schools and institutions in places such as Charleston, Greenville, and the state capital, Columbia.
Have you been curious about the Best Colleges in South Carolina? Have you ever wondered how much the best colleges in South Carolina cost and why you should attend?
All of these are addressed in this post, and we’ve also included answers to frequently asked questions regarding North Carolina institutions. Keep reading.
Cost to Enter the Best Colleges in South Carolina
The average tuition and fees for South Carolina colleges for the academic year 2020-2021 are $8,528 for in-state students and $18,262 for out-of-state students.
This number exceeds the national average. The nationwide average for in-state students in 2021 is $6,852, while the average for out-of-state students is $17,943.
For nonresidents,
- $33,928 for tuition and technology fees
- Housing costs – $8,654
- Meals- $4,254
- Books & Supplies- $1,226
List of the Best Colleges in South Carolina
The following is a list of the Best Colleges in South Carolina:
1. Clemson University in Clemson, South Carolina
South Carolina’s Clemson University is a public land-grant research institution. Clemson, founded in 1889, is the second-largest university in South Carolina by student population.
This Best Colleges in South Carolina enrolled 20,195 undergraduate students and 5,627 graduate students for the fall 2019 semester, and the student-to-faculty ratio was 18:1.
The 1,400-acre campus of Clemson University located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The campus presently abuts Lake Hartwell, which was created by the 1962 completion of a dam.
The surrounding 17,500-acre Clemson Experimental Forest is managed by the university for research, education, and enjoyment.
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2. Columbia International University – Columbia, South Carolina
In Columbia, South Carolina, Columbia International University (CIU) is a private Christian university.
This Best Colleges in South Carolina is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools for its undergraduate and graduate programs and is listed as a Level VI institution, which is the highest degree level offered and indicates that it offers four or more doctoral degrees.
Moreover, CIU is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of the Association for Biblical Higher Education; its next ten-year assessment is scheduled for 2029.
The Association of Theological Schools accredits seminaries in the United States and Canada to confer the Master of Divinity (M.Div. ), Master of Arts (MA), and Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) degrees (D.Min.).
Importantly, the Graduate School is also accredited by the South Carolina Department of Education to offer graduate degrees in early childhood and elementary education that lead to teacher certification in South Carolina.
3. The Citadel, Charleston, South Carolina
The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina, or simply The Citadel, is a senior public military college located in Charleston, South Carolina. It is one of the six senior military institutions in the United States and was founded in 1842.
It offers 23 majors and 38 minors through its 18 academic departments in five schools. The military program consists of cadets living on campus who are earning bachelor’s degrees.
It has a total undergraduate enrolment of 2,858 (fall 2020) and a 300-acre campus in an urban location. A semester-based academic calendar is utilized.
The Citadel, the Military College of South Carolina, is ranked second among Regional Universities South in the 2022 edition of Best Colleges. Tuition and costs for in-state students are $14,808; tuition and fees for out-of-state students are $38,064.This is also another Best Colleges in South Carolina.
4. North Greenville University – Tigerville, South Carolina
North Greenville University, located in Tigerville, South Carolina, is a private Baptist university.
Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, it is affiliated with the South Carolina Baptist Convention and the Southern Baptist Convention. The establishment confers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate degrees.
It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 1,993 (fall 2020) with a campus area of 330 acres in a rural location.
A semester-based academic calendar is utilized. This Best Colleges in South Carolina is ranked #70 among Regional Universities South in the 2022 edition of Best Schools. Tuition and fees are $22,470 per year.
5. Furman University — Greenville, South Carolina
Furman University, located in Greenville, South Carolina, is a private liberal arts college.
This Best Colleges in South Carolina is essentially the oldest private institution of higher education in South Carolina.
On its 750-acre (304 hectare) campus, it enrolls roughly 2,700 undergraduate students and 200 graduate students from 46 states and 53 international countries.
In 2019, Furman University was the top-ranked institution of higher education in South Carolina, one of the best universities in the South, and the fifth-best liberal arts college in the South, according to Forbes and U.S. News & World Report, respectively. U.S. News also listed it as the fifth most creative liberal arts college for 2020.
6. University of South Carolina – Columbia, SC
The University of South Carolina in Columbia, South Carolina, is a public research institution. It has seven satellite campuses located throughout the state, and its main campus is more than 359 acres in downtown Columbia, close to the South Carolina State House.
This Best Colleges in South Carolina provides more than 350 programs of study leading to bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate degrees from 14 colleges and institutions that grant degrees.
As of autumn 2019, the university has a total enrolment of around 52,000 students, with over 35,000 on the main Columbia campus, making it the largest institution of higher education in South Carolina.
Many thousand prospective USC students are enrolled in feeder programs at local technical colleges. On the Columbia campus are professional schools for business, engineering, law, medicine, pharmacy, and social work.
7. Southern Wesleyan University – Central, South Carolina
In Central, South Carolina, Southern Wesleyan University is a private Christian university. It was established in 1906 by what is now known as The Wesleyan Church.
The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges has accredited the university to grant associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate degrees.
This Best Colleges in South Carolina provides roughly 35 undergraduate majors in addition to graduate and doctoral degrees in the fields of business and education. The university has roughly 1,600 students enrolled.
More than 800 undergraduates are enrolled in the Central, South Carolina, main site. In addition, there are entirely online undergraduate, graduate, and doctorate programs.
8. University of South Carolina – Aiken, SC
The University of South Carolina Aiken is a public university located in Aiken, South Carolina. It is part of the University of South Carolina System and provides both bachelor’s and master’s degree programs.
Via the Extended Graduate Campus program, the University of South Carolina offers additional graduate courses and degree programs.
This Best Colleges in South Carolina offers bachelor’s degrees in more than 30 major fields of study, including the online bachelor of science in business administration through Palmetto College.
With about 3,450 undergraduate students and 250 graduate students, USC Aiken is one of the fastest-growing campuses in the USC system. The University enrolled a record number of students in the fall of 2018.
The student-to-instructor ratio is 15:1, and the average class size is 15.
9. Wofford College – Spartanburg, South Carolina
Private liberal arts institution located in Spartanburg, South Carolina. It was established in 1854.
The historic 175-acre (71 ha) site is a national arboretum and one of the few four-year universities in the southeastern United States that still operates on its original campus and was founded before the American Civil War.
The academic year consists primarily of a four-month autumn semester, a one-month January term known as Interim, and a four-month spring semester.
The college is included on the President’s Community Service Honor List and in the yearly “Open Doors” report for offering its students opportunities to study abroad.
10. University of South Carolina – Spartanburg, SC,
USC Upstate is a public institution located in Valley Falls, South Carolina, in close proximity to Spartanburg and with a Spartanburg mailing address.
In the summer of 2004, the university that was founded in 1967 and was known as the University of South Carolina Spartanburg changed its name. It provides bachelor’s and master’s degrees to students from the Upstate and neighboring areas.
Moreover, it is a member of the University of South Carolina System and is home to roughly 6,000 students and 340 full-time teachers. It is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
Many clubs, organizations, and academic teams at the University of South Carolina Upstate emphasize the intellectual and interpersonal development of students through community service and diverse cultural activities.This is also regarded as one of the Best Colleges in South Carolina.
FAQs On Best Colleges in South Carolina
Is Clemson or USC better?
Data was gathered from sources such as the National Center for Education Statistics, the Council for Community and Economic Research and the U.S. Department of Education. Out of all of the more than 900 U.S. schools, Clemson ranked 112th and USC ranked 171st overall.
Is South Carolina a good place to live?
South Carolina is an appealing place to live in the southeast as you can stay near the beach in the Lowcountry or enjoy the tranquility of the Blue Ridge Mountains in the Upcountry. The state also has a reasonable cost of living, making it an affordable place for working professionals and retirees.
What is South Carolina known for?
South Carolina is known for its beaches, golf courses, and historic districts. It ranks 40th in size and the 23rd in population. Its most influential cities are Charleston, Myrtle Beach, Columbia, Greenville, Spartanburg and Florence.
Is USC an Ivy League?
No, USC isn't an Ivy League school, but it is a prestigious university. USC offers many of the same benefits as an Ivy League school such as specialized education, state-of-the-art research facilities, and small class sizes
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