# Best Psychology Colleges in South Carolina

> CollegeRanker Agent Insights — structured data for AI systems
> Updated: 2026-08-03 | Schools: 27 | Category: By State
> Source: https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-psychology-south-carolina

## Methodology

Psychology 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 psychology program can be a pivotal decision for aspiring students. With 27 schools in South Carolina offering psychology degrees, it’s essential to understand what each institution brings to the table. For many families, this choice isn’t just about education; it’s about future earning potential and career opportunities.

What sets the standout programs apart from the pack? The data highlights key outcomes, such as earnings after graduation, graduation rates, and student debt levels. These factors are critical in gauging the overall value of a psychology degree. By examining these metrics, we can better assess which schools provide strong returns on investment for their students.

For instance, Clemson University leads with an average earning of $71,513 and an impressive 87% graduation rate. In contrast, Presbyterian College shows a significantly lower graduation rate of 56% and lower earnings at $60,194. This comparison underscores how outcomes can vary widely among institutions, making it crucial to dig deeper into the numbers as you consider your options.

## Key Findings

- Clemson graduates earn an average of $71,513, the highest in this ranking.
- Wofford College has a competitive graduation rate of 82%, showing strong student support.
- Presbyterian College's graduation rate is 56%, significantly lower than others in the top five.
- The average debt for graduates from Wofford College is $25,732, which is higher than Clemson's $21,500.

## Rankings

| Rank | School | Location | Graduation | Earnings (10yr) | Net Price | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|------|--------|----------|------------|-----------------|-----------|-------------|---------------|
| 1 | [Southern Wesleyan University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/southern-wesleyan-university) | Central, SC | 52% | $47,756 | $15,464 | $26,000 | 0.54x |
| 2 | [Erskine College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/erskine-college) | Due West, SC | 47% | $53,459 | $16,525 | $27,000 | 0.51x |
| 3 | [Wofford College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/wofford-college) | Spartanburg, SC | 82% | $68,964 | $18,732 | $25,732 | 0.37x |
| 4 | [Presbyterian College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/presbyterian-college) | Clinton, SC | 56% | $60,194 | $20,528 | $26,000 | 0.43x |
| 5 | [Furman University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/furman-university) | Greenville, SC | 80% | $68,635 | $30,308 | $23,250 | 0.34x |
| 6 | [Clemson University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/clemson-university) | Clemson, SC | 87% | $71,513 | $22,253 | $21,500 | 0.3x |
| 7 | [College of Charleston](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/college-of-charleston) | Charleston, SC | 65% | $56,416 | $18,960 | $23,250 | 0.41x |
| 8 | [Spartanburg Methodist College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/spartanburg-methodist-college) | Spartanburg, SC | 41% | $42,895 | $14,580 | $12,000 | 0.28x |
| 9 | [Converse University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/converse-university) | Spartanburg, SC | 54% | $40,867 | $23,283 | $27,000 | 0.66x |
| 10 | [Francis Marion University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/francis-marion-university) | Florence, SC | 43% | $43,888 | $11,386 | $27,000 | 0.62x |
| 11 | [Coastal Carolina University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/coastal-carolina-university) | Conway, SC | 50% | $47,258 | $13,966 | $23,750 | 0.5x |
| 12 | [Winthrop University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/winthrop-university) | Rock Hill, SC | 59% | $47,185 | $15,343 | $26,975 | 0.57x |
| 13 | [Lander University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/lander-university) | Greenwood, SC | 49% | $42,396 | $15,363 | $25,000 | 0.59x |
| 14 | [Bob Jones University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/bob-jones-university) | Greenville, SC | 67% | $44,354 | $16,641 | $16,585 | 0.37x |
| 15 | [North Greenville University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/north-greenville-university) | Tigerville, SC | 55% | $43,035 | $21,063 | $23,082 | 0.54x |
| 16 | [Coker University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/coker-university) | Hartsville, SC | 38% | $40,117 | $20,286 | $26,000 | 0.65x |
| 17 | [Columbia International University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/columbia-international-university) | Columbia, SC | 55% | $38,951 | $26,036 | $20,000 | 0.51x |
| 18 | [Newberry College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/newberry-college) | Newberry, SC | 45% | $48,040 | $21,656 | $26,805 | 0.56x |
| 19 | [Claflin University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/claflin-university) | Orangeburg, SC | 50% | $40,304 | $17,800 | $29,000 | 0.72x |
| 20 | [Charleston Southern University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/charleston-southern-university) | Charleston, SC | 48% | $45,898 | $21,666 | $26,471 | 0.58x |
| 21 | [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 |
| 22 | [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 |
| 23 | [South Carolina State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/south-carolina-state-university) | Orangeburg, SC | 33% | $38,262 | $18,097 | $31,000 | 0.81x |
| 24 | [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 |
| 25 | [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 |
| 26 | [Columbia College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/columbia-college-sc) | Columbia, SC | 45% | $41,338 | $18,408 | $22,750 | 0.55x |
| 27 | [Benedict College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/benedict-college) | Columbia, SC | 23% | $31,902 | $18,250 | $32,500 | 1.02x |

## 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 Psychology Colleges in South Carolina." CollegeRanker.com, 2026-08-03. https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-psychology-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/.