# Best Data Science Colleges in South Carolina

> CollegeRanker Agent Insights — structured data for AI systems
> Updated: 2026-08-03 | Schools: 22 | Category: By State
> Source: https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-data-science-south-carolina

## Methodology

Data Science programs in South Carolina ranked by outcomes and program concentration

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

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.

## Key Findings

- Clemson University graduates earn an average of $71,513, making it the top school in the state for data science.
- Trident Technical College has the lowest average earnings at $38,253 and a graduation rate of only 29%.
- Citadel Military College of South Carolina has a competitive average earning of $72,085, with lower net price at $20,723.
- The average graduation rate across all 19 schools is 47%, indicating room for improvement in completing programs.

## Rankings

| Rank | School | Location | Graduation | Earnings (10yr) | Net Price | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|------|--------|----------|------------|-----------------|-----------|-------------|---------------|
| 1 | [Clemson University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/clemson-university) | Clemson, SC | 87% | $71,513 | $22,253 | $21,500 | 0.3x |
| 2 | [Furman University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/furman-university) | Greenville, SC | 80% | $68,635 | $30,308 | $23,250 | 0.34x |
| 3 | [Wofford College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/wofford-college) | Spartanburg, SC | 82% | $68,964 | $18,732 | $25,732 | 0.37x |
| 4 | [College of Charleston](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/college-of-charleston) | Charleston, SC | 65% | $56,416 | $18,960 | $23,250 | 0.41x |
| 5 | [Trident Technical College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/trident-technical-college) | Charleston, SC | 29% | $38,253 | $1,406 | $13,029 | 0.34x |
| 6 | [Midlands Technical College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/midlands-technical-college) | West Columbia, SC | 17% | $38,701 | $4,647 | $12,000 | 0.31x |
| 7 | [Aiken Technical College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/aiken-technical-college) | Graniteville, SC | 26% | $39,225 | $4,807 | $12,250 | 0.31x |
| 8 | [North Greenville University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/north-greenville-university) | Tigerville, SC | 55% | $43,035 | $21,063 | $23,082 | 0.54x |
| 9 | [Lander University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/lander-university) | Greenwood, SC | 49% | $42,396 | $15,363 | $25,000 | 0.59x |
| 10 | [Charleston Southern University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/charleston-southern-university) | Charleston, SC | 48% | $45,898 | $21,666 | $26,471 | 0.58x |
| 11 | [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 |
| 12 | [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 |
| 13 | [South Carolina State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/south-carolina-state-university) | Orangeburg, SC | 33% | $38,262 | $18,097 | $31,000 | 0.81x |
| 14 | [Claflin University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/claflin-university) | Orangeburg, SC | 50% | $40,304 | $17,800 | $29,000 | 0.72x |
| 15 | [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 |
| 16 | [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 |
| 17 | [Bob Jones University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/bob-jones-university) | Greenville, SC | 67% | $44,354 | $16,641 | $16,585 | 0.37x |
| 18 | [Anderson University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/anderson-university-sc) | Anderson, SC | 67% | $42,101 | $23,544 | $26,700 | 0.63x |
| 19 | [Voorhees University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/voorhees-university) | Denmark, SC | 40% | $35,339 | $13,335 | $26,700 | 0.76x |
| 20 | [Columbia College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/columbia-college-sc) | Columbia, SC | 45% | $41,338 | $18,408 | $22,750 | 0.55x |
| 21 | [Benedict College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/benedict-college) | Columbia, SC | 23% | $31,902 | $18,250 | $32,500 | 1.02x |
| 22 | [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 Data Science Colleges in South Carolina." CollegeRanker.com, 2026-08-03. https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-data-science-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/.