Best Colleges in South Carolina

41
Universities
25
Community Colleges
66
Total Institutions

Explore 66 colleges and universities in South Carolina, ranked by the Repit College Score. Our ratings evaluate graduation rates, affordability, resources, and student experience.

#1
B+

Clemson University

Clemson, SC • 28,747 students
Public
88%
Grad Rate
$24k
Net Price
#2
B

Furman University

Greenville, SC • 2,505 students
Private Non-Profit
81%
Grad Rate
#3
B

University of South Carolina-Columbia

Columbia, SC • 36,579 students
Public
78%
Grad Rate
$26k
Net Price
#4
B

Bob Jones University

Greenville, SC • 2,893 students
Private Non-Profit
70%
Grad Rate
#5
B

College of Charleston

Charleston, SC • 11,729 students
Public
65%
Grad Rate
$21k
Net Price
#6
B

Wofford College

Spartanburg, SC • 1,873 students
Private Non-Profit
81%
Grad Rate
#7
C+

Citadel Military College of South Carolina

Charleston, SC • 3,727 students
Public
73%
Grad Rate
$21k
Net Price
#8
C+

Coastal Carolina University

Conway, SC • 10,829 students
Public
51%
Grad Rate
$14k
Net Price
12%
Off-Campus
#9
C+

Winthrop University

Rock Hill, SC • 4,694 students
Public
61%
Grad Rate
$17k
Net Price
#10
C+

Anderson University

Anderson, SC • 4,325 students
Private Non-Profit
71%
Grad Rate
#11
C+

Francis Marion University

Florence, SC • 4,017 students
Public
43%
Grad Rate
$11k
Net Price
10%
Off-Campus
#12
C+

Lander University

Greenwood, SC • 4,363 students
Public
49%
Grad Rate
$15k
Net Price
#13
C+

Claflin University

Orangeburg, SC • 1,835 students
Private Non-Profit
49%
Grad Rate
#14
C+

University of South Carolina-Upstate

Spartanburg, SC • 4,946 students
Public
42%
Grad Rate
$14k
Net Price
6%
Off-Campus
#15
C+

American College of the Building Arts

Charleston, SC • 140 students
Private Non-Profit
64%
Grad Rate
#16
C+

Greenville Technical College

Greenville, SC • 10,661 students
Public
18%
Grad Rate
$6k
Net Price
32%
Off-Campus
#17
C+

North Greenville University

Tigerville, SC • 2,219 students
Private Non-Profit
55%
Grad Rate
#18
C+

Presbyterian College

Clinton, SC • 1,136 students
Private Non-Profit
62%
Grad Rate
#19
C+

University of South Carolina Aiken

Aiken, SC • 3,855 students
Public
40%
Grad Rate
$12k
Net Price
8%
Off-Campus
#20
C+

University of South Carolina Beaufort

Bluffton, SC • 2,121 students
Public
39%
Grad Rate
$16k
Net Price
#21
C+

Voorhees University

Denmark, SC • 515 students
Private Non-Profit
38%
Grad Rate
#22
C

Allen University

Columbia, SC • 677 students
Private Non-Profit
13%
Grad Rate
#23
C

Converse University

Spartanburg, SC • 1,341 students
Private Non-Profit
47%
Grad Rate
#24
C

Medical University of South Carolina

Charleston, SC • 3,117 students
Public
#25
C

Columbia International University

Columbia, SC • 2,631 students
Private Non-Profit
66%
Grad Rate
#26
C

South Carolina State University

Orangeburg, SC • 3,041 students
Public
29%
Grad Rate
$18k
Net Price
#27
C

Charleston Southern University

Charleston, SC • 3,545 students
Private Non-Profit
49%
Grad Rate
#28
C

Benedict College

Columbia, SC • 1,731 students
Private Non-Profit
21%
Grad Rate
#29
C

Columbia College

Columbia, SC • 1,572 students
Private Non-Profit
53%
Grad Rate
#30
C

Southern Wesleyan University

Central, SC • 1,188 students
Private Non-Profit
52%
Grad Rate
#31
C

Morris College

Sumter, SC • 421 students
Private Non-Profit
20%
Grad Rate
#32
C

Newberry College

Newberry, SC • 1,507 students
Private Non-Profit
44%
Grad Rate
#33
C

Erskine College

Due West, SC • 984 students
Private Non-Profit
49%
Grad Rate
#34
C

Spartanburg Methodist College

Spartanburg, SC • 1,029 students
Private Non-Profit
38%
Grad Rate
#35
C

Charleston School of Law

Charleston, SC • 675 students
Private For-Profit
#36
D

Sherman College of Chiropractic

Spartanburg, SC • 381 students
Private Non-Profit
#37
D

Clinton College

Rock Hill, SC • 106 students
Private Non-Profit
11%
Grad Rate
#38
D

Coker University

Hartsville, SC • 1,263 students
Private Non-Profit
35%
Grad Rate
#39
D

Limestone University

Gaffney, SC • 1,782 students
Private Non-Profit
28%
Grad Rate
#40
D

South University-Columbia

Columbia, SC • 509 students
Private For-Profit
0%
Grad Rate
#41
F

Strayer University-South Carolina

Greenville, SC • 2,061 students
Private For-Profit
0%
Grad Rate
#1
C

Spartanburg Community College

Spartanburg, SC • 6,330 students
Public
30%
Grad Rate
$7k
Net Price
#2
C

Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College

Orangeburg, SC • 2,146 students
Public
40%
Grad Rate
$7k
Net Price
#3
C

Horry-Georgetown Technical College

Conway, SC • 7,353 students
Public
28%
Grad Rate
$5k
Net Price
#4
C

Miller-Motte College-Charleston

Charleston, SC • 124 students
Private For-Profit
66%
Grad Rate
#5
C

Central Carolina Technical College

Sumter, SC • 3,004 students
Public
31%
Grad Rate
$6k
Net Price
#6
C

Tri-County Technical College

Pendleton, SC • 5,780 students
Public
39%
Grad Rate
$8k
Net Price
#7
C

Miller-Motte College-Conway

Conway, SC • 164 students
Private For-Profit
64%
Grad Rate
#8
C

Aiken Technical College

Graniteville, SC • 2,218 students
Public
19%
Grad Rate
$6k
Net Price
#9
C

Northeastern Technical College

Cheraw, SC • 1,477 students
Public
35%
Grad Rate
$8k
Net Price
#10
C

York Technical College

Rock Hill, SC • 4,731 students
Public
32%
Grad Rate
$6k
Net Price
#11
C

Florence-Darlington Technical College

Florence, SC • 3,521 students
Public
20%
Grad Rate
$2k
Net Price
#12
C

Midlands Technical College

West Columbia, SC • 8,978 students
Public
16%
Grad Rate
$5k
Net Price
#13
C

Williamsburg Technical College

Kingstree, SC • 629 students
Public
21%
Grad Rate
$7k
Net Price
#14
C

Technical College of the Lowcountry

Beaufort, SC • 2,349 students
Public
12%
Grad Rate
$8k
Net Price
#15
C

Piedmont Technical College

Greenwood, SC • 4,999 students
Public
33%
Grad Rate
$11k
Net Price
#16
C

University of South Carolina-Union

Union, SC • 1,392 students
Public
38%
Grad Rate
$12k
Net Price
#17
C

Trident Technical College

Charleston, SC • 14,025 students
Public
29%
Grad Rate
#18
C

Southeastern College-Charleston

North Charleston, SC • 232 students
Private For-Profit
70%
Grad Rate
#19
C

Southeastern College-Columbia

Columbia, SC • 249 students
Private For-Profit
52%
Grad Rate
#20
C

Denmark Technical College

Denmark, SC • 646 students
Public
14%
Grad Rate
$21k
Net Price
#21
C

University of South Carolina-Sumter

Sumter, SC • 1,692 students
Public
36%
Grad Rate
$10k
Net Price
#22
D

University of South Carolina-Lancaster

Lancaster, SC • 2,328 students
Public
29%
Grad Rate
$11k
Net Price
#23
D

University of South Carolina-Salkehatchie

Allendale, SC • 809 students
Public
22%
Grad Rate
$13k
Net Price
#24
D

Galen Health Institutes-Myrtle Beach

Myrtle Beach, SC • 629 students
Private For-Profit
#25
D

Fortis College-Columbia

Columbia, SC • 513 students
Private For-Profit
36%
Grad Rate

Cities with Multiple Colleges

Greenville 4 colleges
Conway 3 colleges
Charleston 8 colleges
Florence 2 colleges
Orangeburg 3 colleges
Spartanburg 6 colleges
Greenwood 2 colleges
Rock Hill 3 colleges
Denmark 2 colleges
Columbia 8 colleges
Sumter 3 colleges

About College Rankings in South Carolina

The Repit College Score ranks 66 colleges and universities in South Carolina based on outcomes (graduation rates, retention), affordability (net cost, financial aid), resources (class sizes, faculty ratios), and student experience (campus life, housing options).

4-Year Universities (41): Bachelor's degree-granting institutions including public universities, private colleges, and research institutions.

2-Year Colleges (25): Community colleges and technical schools offering associate degrees, certificates, and transfer programs.

Frequently Asked Questions About Colleges in South Carolina

How many colleges are in South Carolina?

There are 66 accredited colleges and universities in South Carolina tracked by Repit, including 41 4-year institutions and 25 community colleges. Each school is rated using our proprietary scoring system that evaluates outcomes, affordability, and resources.

How does Repit rate colleges?

Repit rates colleges on a 100-point scale across five categories: Outcomes (graduation and retention rates), Affordability (net cost and financial aid), Resources (class sizes and selectivity), Experience (campus life and learning format), and Prestige (reputation and recognition). Each factor is weighted and combined into an overall score and letter grade.

Should I attend a public or private college in South Carolina?

South Carolina has both public and private institutions. Public schools often offer lower tuition for state residents, while private schools may provide more financial aid. Compare net prices and outcomes using Repit's detailed college profiles to find the best value for your situation.

Data source: IPEDS 2023-24 | Last updated: September 2026 | Methodology