# Best Bachelor's Programs in South Carolina

> CollegeRanker Agent Insights — structured data for AI systems
> Updated: 2026-05-31 | Schools: 30 | Category: By State
> Source: https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-bachelors-south-carolina

## Methodology

Bachelor's programs in South Carolina ranked by outcomes and mobility

CollegeRanker uses a 4-pillar algorithm: Academic Quality (15-20%), Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25-35%), Value & Affordability (20-25%). Social mobility data from Raj Chetty's Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card (30M+ anonymized tax records). No subjective surveys.

## Summary

When considering bachelor's programs in South Carolina, prospective students and their families are looking for schools that not only offer quality education but also lead to strong career outcomes. With an average earning of $48,178 for graduates from these programs, it's essential to examine what makes some schools stand out.

The schools listed here are ranked based on key metrics such as graduate earnings, graduation rates, student debt, and mobility. Understanding these factors can help students choose a program that will support their long-term financial and professional goals. For instance, while the average graduation rate for these programs is 53%, the top schools show significantly higher rates, which indicates a greater likelihood of completing a degree.

Take Clemson University and Wofford College, for example. Clemson graduates earn an average of $71,513, with a graduation rate of 87%, while Wofford graduates earn slightly less at $68,964 with an 82% graduation rate. This suggests that while both schools provide solid outcomes, Clemson may offer a stronger return on investment for students who prioritize high earnings and a greater likelihood of graduation.

## Key Findings

- Clemson University graduates earn $71,513 on average, making it the top earner among South Carolina schools.
- Wofford College has a lower net price of $18,732 compared to others like Furman University at $30,308.
- Graduation rates vary significantly, with Clemson at 87% versus Citadel Military College at 74%.
- The average debt for graduates from these programs is $21,500, which is a key factor to consider.

## Rankings

| Rank | School | Location | Graduation | Earnings (10yr) | Net Price | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|------|--------|----------|------------|-----------------|-----------|-------------|---------------|
| 1 | [Wofford College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/wofford-college) | Spartanburg, SC | 82% | $68,964 | $18,732 | $25,732 | 0.37x |
| 2 | [Clemson University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/clemson-university) | Clemson, SC | 87% | $71,513 | $22,253 | $21,500 | 0.3x |
| 3 | [Furman University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/furman-university) | Greenville, SC | 80% | $68,635 | $30,308 | $23,250 | 0.34x |
| 4 | [College of Charleston](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/college-of-charleston) | Charleston, SC | 65% | $56,416 | $18,960 | $23,250 | 0.41x |
| 5 | [Presbyterian College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/presbyterian-college) | Clinton, SC | 56% | $60,194 | $20,528 | $26,000 | 0.43x |
| 6 | [Coastal Carolina University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/coastal-carolina-university) | Conway, SC | 50% | $47,258 | $13,966 | $23,750 | 0.5x |
| 7 | [Winthrop University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/winthrop-university) | Rock Hill, SC | 59% | $47,185 | $15,343 | $26,975 | 0.57x |
| 8 | [Southern Wesleyan University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/southern-wesleyan-university) | Central, SC | 52% | $47,756 | $15,464 | $26,000 | 0.54x |
| 9 | [Francis Marion University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/francis-marion-university) | Florence, SC | 43% | $43,888 | $11,386 | $27,000 | 0.62x |
| 10 | [Erskine College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/erskine-college) | Due West, SC | 47% | $53,459 | $16,525 | $27,000 | 0.51x |
| 11 | [Converse University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/converse-university) | Spartanburg, SC | 54% | $40,867 | $23,283 | $27,000 | 0.66x |
| 12 | [Citadel Military College of South Carolina](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/citadel-military-college-of-south-carolina) | Charleston, SC | 74% | $72,085 | $20,723 | $21,096 | 0.29x |
| 13 | [Lander University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/lander-university) | Greenwood, SC | 49% | $42,396 | $15,363 | $25,000 | 0.59x |
| 14 | [North Greenville University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/north-greenville-university) | Tigerville, SC | 55% | $43,035 | $21,063 | $23,082 | 0.54x |
| 15 | [Newberry College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/newberry-college) | Newberry, SC | 45% | $48,040 | $21,656 | $26,805 | 0.56x |
| 16 | [Columbia International University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/columbia-international-university) | Columbia, SC | 55% | $38,951 | $26,036 | $20,000 | 0.51x |
| 17 | [University of South Carolina-Columbia](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-south-carolina-columbia) | Columbia, SC | 78% | $62,177 | $22,811 | $21,500 | 0.35x |
| 18 | [Charleston Southern University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/charleston-southern-university) | Charleston, SC | 48% | $45,898 | $21,666 | $26,471 | 0.58x |
| 19 | [Bob Jones University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/bob-jones-university) | Greenville, SC | 67% | $44,354 | $16,641 | $16,585 | 0.37x |
| 20 | [Coker University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/coker-university) | Hartsville, SC | 38% | $40,117 | $20,286 | $26,000 | 0.65x |
| 21 | [Claflin University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/claflin-university) | Orangeburg, SC | 50% | $40,304 | $17,800 | $29,000 | 0.72x |
| 22 | [University of South Carolina Aiken](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-south-carolina-aiken) | Aiken, SC | 40% | $45,603 | $11,641 | $24,275 | 0.53x |
| 23 | [University of South Carolina-Upstate](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-south-carolina-upstate) | Spartanburg, SC | 43% | $48,587 | $13,557 | $22,310 | 0.46x |
| 24 | [South Carolina State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/south-carolina-state-university) | Orangeburg, SC | 33% | $38,262 | $18,097 | $31,000 | 0.81x |
| 25 | [Anderson University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/anderson-university-sc) | Anderson, SC | 67% | $42,101 | $23,544 | $26,700 | 0.63x |
| 26 | [University of South Carolina Beaufort](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-south-carolina-beaufort) | Bluffton, SC | 36% | $48,088 | $14,656 | $24,000 | 0.5x |
| 27 | [Columbia College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/columbia-college-sc) | Columbia, SC | 45% | $41,338 | $18,408 | $22,750 | 0.55x |
| 28 | [Voorhees University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/voorhees-university) | Denmark, SC | 40% | $35,339 | $13,335 | $26,700 | 0.76x |
| 29 | [Benedict College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/benedict-college) | Columbia, SC | 23% | $31,902 | $18,250 | $32,500 | 1.02x |
| 30 | [Morris College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/morris-college) | Sumter, SC | 19% | $30,614 | $20,555 | $31,400 | 1.03x |

## Data Sources

- U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (https://collegescorecard.ed.gov)
- Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card (https://opportunityinsights.org/data)
- Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
- Times Higher Education World University Rankings
- NCES IPEDS

## Citation

CollegeRanker. "Best Bachelor's Programs in South Carolina." CollegeRanker.com, 2026-05-31. https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-bachelors-south-carolina

## License

This data summary is provided for informational purposes. Underlying data from federal sources (College Scorecard, IPEDS) is public domain. Opportunity Insights data is available under their data use agreement at https://opportunityinsights.org/data/.