Rankings / By State
Best Data Science Colleges in South Carolina
- 22
- Schools
- $47,532
- Avg. Earnings
- 51%
- Avg. Graduation
- $17,026
- Avg. Net Price
- $23,245
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Median graduate earnings across these 22 schools run from $30,614 to $72,085, a 2.4× gap. The category label alone says little about payoff.
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Trident Technical College delivers the most for the money: roughly $38,253 in median earnings against $1,406 a year in net price, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio on the list.
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Trident Technical College is the lowest-cost school here at $1,406 a year in net price.
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Clemson University graduates 87% of its students, versus a 51% average across the list. Completion, more than selectivity, signals whether a degree actually gets finished.
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Citadel Military College of South Carolina carries the healthiest debt load, with graduates owing just 0.29× their annual earnings.
Surprising Comparisons
- #1 Clemson University ($71,513 earnings) outranks the list's highest earner, Citadel Military College of South Carolina ($72,085), because it does more on mobility and cost.
- Trident Technical College costs $1,406 a year and Furman University costs $30,308. Yet their graduates earn $38,253 and $68,635, nowhere near the $28,902 price gap.
- On value, Trident Technical College beats Citadel Military College of South Carolina: comparable career payoff at a fraction of the net price.
The Takeaway
A consistent pattern: the schools that finish at the top get there by delivering strong earnings, manageable debt, and real mobility rather than by charging more or rejecting more applicants. Those outcomes are what define educational value.
What This Means for Students
For students evaluating these schools, begin with Trident Technical College and Clemson University. Look past sticker price: pull each school's net price for your income level, compare it against projected earnings, and let the data guide the decision instead of the brand.
Why this ranking matters
Technology is one of the higher-return fields in the economy, but the payoff depends heavily on where you study it. Graduates of these programs earn a median of about $43K within a decade, and data scientist roles are projected to grow 36%. We rank programs by the outcomes they produce for graduates, not by reputation.
How we measure this — full methodology →How we rank · 4 pillars
Federal-source data only. Build your own weighting →
Data Behind This Page Updated 2026-07-13
Source datasets
Methodology
Schools are scored on the CollegeRanker 4-Pillar Algorithm: Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25–35%), Academic Quality (15–20%), and Value (20–25%). Every weight is published and every figure traces to a public dataset.
See the full methodology and weights →Confidence notes
- Earnings, completion, and debt figures come from federal administrative records — tax data and student-aid filings — not surveys or self-reports, the highest-confidence tier of education data available.
- Social-mobility estimates are drawn from de-identified tax records covering more than 30 million students (Opportunity Insights).
- Where an institution is missing a metric, it is excluded from that metric rather than imputed, so averages are never inflated by guesses.
Limitations
- Federal earnings data primarily cover students who received federal financial aid; outcomes for non-aided students may differ.
- Earnings are measured roughly ten years after enrollment, so they describe how earlier cohorts fared — historical outcomes, not guarantees of future results.
- An institution's field-of-study mix affects raw earnings; scores reflect measured outcomes and are not fully major-adjusted unless explicitly noted.
- Net price is an average; the actual cost a given student pays varies widely by family income.
At a Glance
How the Top Schools Compare
| School | Earnings | Net Price | Graduation | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Clemson University #1 overall | $71,513 ▲ +50% vs avg | $22,253 | 87% | 73 |
| 2 Furman University #2 overall | $68,635 ▲ +44% vs avg | $30,308 | 80% | 72 |
| 3 Wofford College #3 overall | $68,964 ▲ +45% vs avg | $18,732 | 82% | 72 |
| $56,416 ▲ +19% vs avg | $18,960 | 65% | 70 | |
| $38,253 ▼ -20% vs avg | $1,406 | 29% | 68 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best Data Science Colleges in South Carolina
This analysis ranks 22 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $47,532 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 51% and an average net price of $17,026.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: Trident Technical College — Net Price: $1,406 | Graduation Rate: 29%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: Clemson University — 87% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: Citadel Military College of South Carolina — Median alumni earnings: $72,085
Research Note
Private nonprofit colleges cost 110% more in net price than publics, while their graduates earn 21% more.
Technology Workforce Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about the technology workforce?
$42,716
Median earnings (10yr)
49%
Median graduation rate
$18,329
Median net price
1.5%
Avg. mobility rate
Computing, data, and information-systems programs train for one of the highest-paying and fastest-moving corners of the labor market. Starting salaries are strong, and hiring increasingly rewards demonstrable skill over pedigree. The field is cyclical, though, and specific tools age quickly. What endures is fundamentals and the habit of learning new ones.
Start with the medians across these 22 schools. Graduates earn a median of $42,716 ten years after enrollment. The median graduation rate is 49%, and the typical net price (what students pay after grants) runs $18,329 a year with about $23,250 in federal debt. Pell grants reach 41% of students on average, and the average mobility rate, the share of students lifted from the bottom income quintile to the top, is 1.5%.
What we’re seeing: employers reward programs with strong industry ties, co-ops, and project portfolios over brand alone. Graduates here post median earnings of $42,716 ten years after enrollment. That premium holds as long as graduates keep their skills current against a fast-shifting stack.
The podium
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Tip: Check the box on any 2–4 schools below to compare them side by side.
Full rankings
Why it ranks #1
Clemson University lands at #1 with a 73/100 composite, led by social mobility (79/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (60/100). Graduates earn a median $71,513 a decade after enrolling, 50% above this list's average, and net price runs $22,253 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #2
Furman University lands at #2 with a 72/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (52/100). Graduates earn a median $68,635 a decade after enrolling, 44% above this list's average, and net price runs $30,308 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #3
Wofford College lands at #3 with a 72/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (62/100). Graduates earn a median $68,964 a decade after enrolling, 45% above this list's average, and net price runs $18,732 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #4
College of Charleston lands at #4 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (60/100). Graduates earn a median $56,416 a decade after enrolling, 19% above this list's average, and net price runs $18,960 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #5
Trident Technical College lands at #5 with a 68/100 composite, led by value per dollar (89/100) and pulled down by academic quality (49/100). Graduates earn a median $38,253 a decade after enrolling, 20% below this list's average, and net price runs $1,406 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #6
Midlands Technical College lands at #6 with a 67/100 composite, led by value per dollar (85/100) and pulled down by academic quality (54/100). Graduates earn a median $38,701 a decade after enrolling, 19% below this list's average, and net price runs $4,647 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #7
Aiken Technical College lands at #7 with a 66/100 composite, led by value per dollar (85/100) and pulled down by academic quality (43/100). Graduates earn a median $39,225 a decade after enrolling, 17% below this list's average, and net price runs $4,807 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #8
North Greenville University lands at #8 with a 65/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (50/100). Graduates earn a median $43,035 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $21,063 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #9
Lander University lands at #9 with a 65/100 composite, led by social mobility (78/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (58/100). Graduates earn a median $42,396 a decade after enrolling, 11% below this list's average, and net price runs $15,363 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #10
Charleston Southern University lands at #10 with a 64/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (48/100). Graduates earn a median $45,898 a decade after enrolling, 3% below this list's average, and net price runs $21,666 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Charleston, SC · 23% accepted · $20,723 net
Why it ranks #11
Citadel Military College of South Carolina lands at #11 with a 62/100 composite, led by academic quality (74/100) and pulled down by social mobility (55/100). Graduates earn a median $72,085 a decade after enrolling, 52% above this list's average, and net price runs $20,723 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #12
University of South Carolina-Columbia lands at #12 with a 61/100 composite, led by academic quality (79/100) and pulled down by social mobility (51/100). Graduates earn a median $62,177 a decade after enrolling, 31% above this list's average, and net price runs $22,811 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #13
South Carolina State University lands at #13 with a 61/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (46/100). Graduates earn a median $38,262 a decade after enrolling, 20% below this list's average, and net price runs $18,097 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #14
Claflin University lands at #14 with a 61/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (47/100). Graduates earn a median $40,304 a decade after enrolling, 15% below this list's average, and net price runs $17,800 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Spartanburg, SC · 67% accepted · $13,557 net
Why it ranks #15
University of South Carolina-Upstate lands at #15 with a 60/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (63/100) and pulled down by social mobility (54/100). Graduates earn a median $48,587 a decade after enrolling, 2% above this list's average, and net price runs $13,557 a year, well under the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #16
University of South Carolina Aiken lands at #16 with a 59/100 composite, led by value per dollar (65/100) and pulled down by social mobility (56/100). Graduates earn a median $45,603 a decade after enrolling, 4% below this list's average, and net price runs $11,641 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #17
Bob Jones University lands at #17 with a 59/100 composite, led by academic quality (75/100) and pulled down by social mobility (57/100). Graduates earn a median $44,354 a decade after enrolling, 7% below this list's average, and net price runs $16,641 a year. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #18
Anderson University lands at #18 with a 57/100 composite, led by academic quality (74/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (50/100). Graduates earn a median $42,101 a decade after enrolling, 11% below this list's average, and net price runs $23,544 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #19
Voorhees University lands at #19 with a 54/100 composite, led by social mobility (62/100) and pulled down by academic quality (42/100). Graduates earn a median $35,339 a decade after enrolling, 26% below this list's average, and net price runs $13,335 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #20
Columbia College lands at #20 with a 51/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (58/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (50/100). Graduates earn a median $41,338 a decade after enrolling, 13% below this list's average, and net price runs $18,408 a year. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #21
Benedict College lands at #21 with a 46/100 composite, led by social mobility (55/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (44/100). Graduates earn a median $31,902 a decade after enrolling, 33% below this list's average, and net price runs $18,250 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #22
Morris College lands at #22 with a 42/100 composite, led by social mobility (57/100) and pulled down by academic quality (32/100). Graduates earn a median $30,614 a decade after enrolling, 36% below this list's average, and net price runs $20,555 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Cut it by what you care about
The same 22 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs — and the jobs are
Where these graduates work
Graduates of these programs most often become Data Scientists and related roles — a field with $108,020 median pay and 36% projected growth.
See the Data Scientist career guide →Choosing the right college for data science in South Carolina can be a pivotal decision for students and families. With 19 institutions offering programs in this growing field, it's crucial to consider how each option stacks up in terms of outcomes and program concentration. The average earnings for graduates across these schools is $48,330, making it a worthwhile pursuit for many.
What distinguishes the top schools from the rest? Key metrics include graduate earnings, completion rates, average debt, and mobility. The schools listed below are ranked based on these factors, helping you to identify which programs yield strong returns on investment and pave the way for future success in the data science job market.
For example, Clemson University leads the pack with impressive earnings of $71,513 and an 87% graduation rate. In contrast, Trident Technical College shows much lower earnings at $38,253 and a graduation rate of just 29%. This stark difference highlights the importance of evaluating not just the program, but also the potential outcomes associated with each school.
The story behind the ranking
A ranking gives you an order; these charts give you the shape. They show how this group of schools spreads across the four things that decide whether a degree pays off — what graduates earn, whether they finish, how far they move up, and what it costs. Look for the standouts, the outliers, and the trade-offs the list alone can't show.
Earnings Outcomes
What graduates earn 10 years after enrolling. Data from College Scorecard.
Distribution of Median Earnings
Earnings vs. Net Price
Top-left = best value. Top-ranked schools are highlighted.
Completion & Access
Graduation rates and who gets in. Data from College Scorecard & IPEDS.
Graduation Rates
Pell Grant Rate vs. Graduation Rate
Right = more low-income students. Higher = more graduate.
What the Mobility Data Says
Social mobility carries the heaviest weight in this ranking, and the measure comes from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built from more than 30 million anonymized tax records. Across the 12 schools here with that data, the average mobility rate is 1.5%. That figure is the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top. Claflin University leads the group at 3.6%, with Charleston Southern University (2.1%) and Aiken Technical College (1.7%) close behind.
Access varies widely. On average, 11.2% of students at these schools come from families in the bottom income quintile. Claflin University enrolls the most, at 31.6%, a sign it is reaching the students mobility is meant to lift. A high mobility rate paired with strong access is the combination that changes a generation's trajectory.
For the low-income students who do enroll, the success rate (the odds of reaching the top quintile) averages 18.7% across the list, peaking at 37.8% at Clemson University.
These campuses can also be measured on social capital: the cross-class friendships Opportunity Insights links to long-run economic outcomes. Economic connectedness here averages 1.22, where about 1.0 is the national norm, and Furman University is highest at 1.74.
Mobility, access, and social-capital figures from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card & the Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas.
Cost & Debt
What families actually pay and what students owe. Data from College Scorecard.
Median Debt at Graduation
A closer look at the data reveals a significant gap between Clemson University and Trident Technical College. While Clemson boasts a graduation rate of 87% and average earnings of $71,513, Trident's figures stand at just 29% and $38,253, respectively. This disparity illustrates how graduation rates can directly impact earning potential after college.
Now that you’ve seen the numbers, how should you approach your decision? Consider what matters most to you. If financial investment is key, weigh the net prices and average debt against the potential earnings. If campus culture and program fit are priorities, visit campuses or connect with current students to get a real feel for each institution.
In a world where education increasingly connects to job stability, these data points serve as critical indicators of future success. One decision can shape a family’s financial trajectory for years. As we evaluate these colleges, we’re not just looking at numbers; we’re considering the pathways they create toward a stable and fulfilling life.
Data Sources
U.S. Dept of Education College Scorecard
Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card
Social Capital Atlas
Times Higher Education World Rankings
NCES IPEDS
Frequently Asked Questions
Best Data Science Colleges in South Carolina: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best Data Science Colleges in South Carolina ranking? +
Clemson University in Clemson, SC ranks #1 in our 2026 Best Data Science Colleges in South Carolina ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $71,513 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 87% graduation rate. Our score is built entirely from federal data on graduation rates, graduate earnings, debt, and social mobility. Reputation surveys play no part.
Which school has the highest graduate earnings? +
Citadel Military College of South Carolina posts the highest median earnings on this list: $72,085 ten years after enrollment, well above the $47,532 average across the 22 ranked schools with earnings data. Earnings that outpace cost are what separate a degree that pays off from one that does not.
Which school offers the best value? +
On a pure return-on-cost basis, Trident Technical College leads: graduates earn a median $38,253 against net price of about $1,406 a year, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio in the ranking. Applicants should weigh that payback against sticker price rather than prestige.
Which school has the highest graduation rate? +
Clemson University has the highest graduation rate in this ranking at 87%, compared with a 51% average across the list. Completion matters because the students who finish are the ones who actually capture the earnings and mobility gains a degree promises.
How much does it cost to attend these schools? +
The average net price, meaning what students actually pay after grants and scholarships, is about $17,026 a year across the 22 ranked schools with cost data. Trident Technical College is among the most affordable at roughly $1,406. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Best Data Science Colleges in South Carolina ranking calculated? +
We score every school on a four-pillar algorithm: economic outcomes (graduate earnings and debt), social mobility (Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built on more than 30 million anonymized tax records), academic quality (graduation and retention), and value (net price and loan burden). Social mobility carries the heaviest weight, so schools that lift low-income students into higher earnings rank above those that simply admit wealthy students. Every input comes from federal data, and schools that withhold their numbers are scored lower for it.
How many schools are ranked and where does the data come from? +
This ranking evaluates 22 institutions using the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard, the Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card and Social Capital Atlas, Times Higher Education, and NCES IPEDS. There are no opinion surveys or paid placements. The order is determined by the data alone and refreshed as new federal figures are released.
Sources & Citations
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