South Carolina has some of the world’s largest universities. South Carolina is home to several small liberal arts colleges and The Citadel, a publicly funded military college.
Top colleges and universities are located throughout South Carolina and in cities such as Charleston, Greenville, and Columbia, the state capital.
Have you been wondering what the best colleges in South Carolina are? Have you been wondering about the cost of the best colleges in South Carolina and why you should even attend them?
In this article, we have explained all of these and added frequently asked questions about colleges in North Carolina. Keep reading.
Table of contents
- Why Attend the Best Colleges in South Carolina?
- Cost of Getting into the Best Colleges in South Carolina
- What are the Best Colleges in South Carolina? 10 Best on Our List
- #1. Clemson University – Clemson, SC
- #2. Columbia International University – Columbia, SC
- #3. The Citadel – Charleston, SC
- #4. North Greenville University – Tigerville, SC
- #5. Furman University – Greenville, SC
- #6. University of South Carolina – Columbia, SC
- #7. Southern Wesleyan University – Central, SC
- #8. University of South Carolina – Aiken, SC
- #9. Wofford College – Spartanburg, SC
- #10. University of South Carolina – Spartanburg, SC
- Conclusion
- References
Start By Checking These 10 Best Accredited Online Colleges in South Carolina SC
Why Attend the Best Colleges in South Carolina?
There are quite a number of reasons you should consider attending the best colleges in South Carolina. The most which come to mind are –
- By attending a college in South Carolina, you stand to benefit from the state’s robust economy. Ample career opportunities exist in major industries like advanced manufacturing, agribusiness, and healthcare.
- South Carolina boasts a relatively low cost of living. Even in a large city like Columbia, living expenses fall 3% below the U.S. standard. As such, the cost of education is also relatively low.
- In colleges in South Carolina, the students are genuinely happy, and once you step into any of the colleges, the happiness is contagious.
- The colleges in South Carolina are beautiful, and you would be expected to be taught by professors who have extensive experience in the field that you want to pursue.
- By attending the colleges in South Carolina, you could gain mentors and internships, join the Public Relations Student Society of America, record a podcast, and network with other professionals in the field.
- By attending the best colleges in South Carolina, you can expect to gain exceptional friendships
- The weather in South Carolina is warm the majority of the year. South Carolina has a very long summer, so most of my winter clothes can stay at home. It starts to get warm in March and stays warm until the beginning of November. This makes the weather great for studying.
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Cost of Getting into the Best Colleges in South Carolina
For the academic year 2024-2024, the average tuition & fees for Colleges in South Carolina is $8,528 for in-state and $18,262 for out-of-state.
The amount is higher than the national average. The 2024 national average is $6,852 for in-state students and $17,943 for out-of-state students.
For nonresidents,
- Tuition and Technology Fee – $33,928
- Housing- $8,654
- Meals- $4,254
- Books and Supplies- $1,226
People Who Read This Ends Up Reading: 10 Best Colleges in North Carolina | 2024
What are the Best Colleges in South Carolina? 10 Best on Our List
South Carolina has great colleges that have stood out in the world. From our well-analyzed university review, we could rank the best 10 colleges in South Carolina.
#1. Clemson University – Clemson, SC
Clemson University is a public land-grant research university in Clemson, South Carolina. Founded in 1889, Clemson is the second-largest university in the student population in South Carolina.
For the fall 2019 semester, the university enrolled 20,195 undergraduate students and 5,627 graduate students, and the student/faculty ratio was 18:1.
Clemson’s 1,400-acre campus is in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The campus now borders Lake Hartwell, which was formed by the dam completed in 1962.
The university manages the nearby 17,500-acre Clemson Experimental Forest used for research, education, and recreation.
Check the full list of Clemson University Scholarships [Updated]
#2. Columbia International University – Columbia, SC
Columbia International University (CIU) is a private Christian university in Columbia, South Carolina.
The Commission accredits CIU on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools for its undergraduate and graduate programs and is listed as a Level VI school, the highest degree level offered, meaning that it offers four or more doctoral degrees.
The Commission also accredits CIU on Accreditation of the Association for Biblical Higher Education with its next ten-year review in 2029.
The Association of Theological Schools accredits the seminary in the United States and Canada to award the Master of Divinity (M.Div.), the Master of Arts (MA), and the Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.).
Most importantly, the Graduate School is accredited by the South Carolina Department of Education to offer graduate degrees in early childhood and elementary education, leading to certification as a teacher in the State of South Carolina.
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#3. The Citadel – Charleston, SC
The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina, commonly known simply as The Citadel, is a public senior military college in Charleston, South Carolina. Established in 1842, it is one of six senior military colleges in the United States.
It has 18 academic departments divided into five schools offering 23 majors and 38 minors. The military program is made up of cadets pursuing bachelor’s degrees who live on campus.
It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 2,858 (fall 2020), its setting is urban, and the campus size is 300 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar.
The Citadel, the Military College of South Carolina’s ranking in the 2024 edition of Best Colleges is Regional Universities South, #2. Its in-state tuition and fees are $14,808; out-of-state tuition and fees are $38,064.
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#4. North Greenville University – Tigerville, SC
North Greenville University is a private Baptist university in Tigerville, South Carolina.
It is associated with the South Carolina Baptist Convention and the Southern Baptist Convention and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. The institution awards bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees.
It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 1,993 (fall 2020), its setting is rural, and the campus size is 330 acres.
It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. North Greenville University’s ranking in the 2024 edition of Best Colleges is Regional Universities South, #70. Its tuition and fees are $22,470.
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#5. Furman University – Greenville, SC
Furman University is a private liberal arts university in Greenville, South Carolina, United States.
Furman University is the oldest private institution of higher learning in South Carolina.
It enrolls approximately 2,700 undergraduate and 200 graduate students, representing 46 states and 53 foreign countries, on its 750-acre (304 ha) campus.
In 2019, Furman University was the highest-ranked institution of higher learning in South Carolina and one of the best universities of the South of the US by Forbes, and the 5th-best liberal arts college in the South by U.S. News & World Report. For 2020, it was also ranked #5 most innovative liberal arts college by U.S. News.
#6. University of South Carolina – Columbia, SC
The University of South Carolina is a public research university in Columbia, South Carolina. It has seven satellite campuses throughout the state and its main campus covers over 359 acres in downtown Columbia not far from the South Carolina State House.
It offers more than 350 programs of study, leading to bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees from 14 degree-granting colleges and schools.
The university has a total enrollment of approximately 52,000 students, with over 35,000 on the main Columbia campus as of fall 2019, making it the largest university in South Carolina.
USC also has several thousand future students in feeder programs at surrounding technical colleges. Professional schools on the Columbia campus include business, engineering, law, medicine, pharmacy, and social work.
#7. Southern Wesleyan University – Central, SC
Southern Wesleyan University is a private Christian university in Central, South Carolina. It was founded in 1906 by what is now The Wesleyan Church.
The institution is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees.
The university offers approximately 35 major areas of study for undergraduates and also offers graduate and doctoral degrees in the areas of business and education. The university serves approximately 1,600 students.
There are more than 800 undergraduates enrolled at the main campus in Central, South Carolina. In addition, undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs are offered in a fully online format.
#8. University of South Carolina – Aiken, SC
The University of South Carolina Aiken (USC Aiken, USCA, or South Carolina Aiken) is a public university in Aiken, South Carolina. It is part of the University of South Carolina System and offers undergraduate degree programs as well as master’s degrees.
Additional graduate courses and degree programs are offered through the University of South Carolina Extended Graduate Campus program.
The University of South Carolina Aiken awards baccalaureate degrees in more than 30 major areas of study include the bachelor of science in business administration online through Palmetto College.
USC Aiken is one of the fastest-growing institutions in the USC system, with approximately 3,450 undergraduate and 250 graduate students. The University reached record enrollment rates in the fall of 2018.
Students enjoy a low faculty-to-student ratio of 15:1 and an average class size of 15.
#9. Wofford College – Spartanburg, SC
Wofford College is a private liberal arts college in Spartanburg, South Carolina. It was founded in 1854.
The historic 175-acre (71 ha) campus is a national arboretum and one of the few four-year institutions in the southeastern United States founded before the American Civil War that still operates on its original campus.
The academic year consists of a four-month fall semester, a one-month January term called the Interim, and a four-month spring semester.
The college is listed on the President’s Community Service Honor Roll and in the annual “Open Doors” report for providing studies abroad opportunities for its students.
#10. University of South Carolina – Spartanburg, SC
The University of South Carolina Upstate (USC Upstate) is a public university in Valley Falls, South Carolina, near Spartanburg and with a Spartanburg postal address.
Founded in 1967 and formerly known as the University of South Carolina Spartanburg, the institution changed its name in the summer of 2004. It offers bachelor’s and master’s degrees for students in the Upstate and surrounding areas.
Most importantly, it is part of the University of South Carolina System and home to approximately 6,000 students and 340 full-time faculty. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools accredits it.
The University of South Carolina Upstate has many clubs and organizations and academic teams whose major goals are the intellectual and interpersonal growth of students through community service and wide-ranging cultural activities.
Conclusion
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the undergraduate student population in the U.S. is projected to grow from 16.8 million in 2017 to 17.2 million in 2028.
College attendance continues to increase as more students seek to take advantage of the opportunities afforded by postsecondary credentials.
However, the sheer variety of degree options may feel overwhelming as you look for a school that aligns with your academic interests and career goals.
I hope this article on the best colleges in South Carolina helps you make the right choice.
References
- www.bestcolleges.com – Best Accredited Colleges in South Carolina
- www.4icu.org – Top Universities in South Carolina
- www.niche.com – 2024 Best Colleges in South Carolina
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