Rankings / By State (Affordable)
Most Affordable Colleges in South Carolina
- 49
- Schools
- $43,668
- Avg. Earnings
- 44%
- Avg. Graduation
- $14,365
- Avg. Net Price
- $20,100
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Graduate earnings span a wide band on this list, from $29,935 at the low end to $72,085 at the top. That 2.4× spread shows how much outcomes vary within a single category.
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Trident Technical College offers the strongest payback. Graduates earn a median of $38,253 against $1,406 in annual net price, the best earnings-to-cost ratio in this ranking.
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The most budget-friendly option on this list is Trident Technical College, at $1,406 annually in net price.
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Completion rates separate this field: Clemson University graduates 87% of its students, well above the 44% list average. Finishing what you start matters as much as where you start.
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Debt-to-earnings ratios favor Spartanburg Community College: graduates owe only 0.18× their yearly income, the most manageable debt burden on the list.
Surprising Comparisons
- The top spot belongs to Trident Technical College ($38,253 earnings), not the highest earner, Citadel Military College of South Carolina ($72,085). That is what weighting mobility and value over salary alone produces.
- Price and payoff diverge sharply here. Trident Technical College ($1,406/yr) and Furman University ($30,308/yr) produce graduates earning $38,253 and $68,635 respectively, a far narrower earnings gap than the $28,902 cost difference would suggest.
- On a cost-adjusted basis, Trident Technical College outperforms Citadel Military College of South Carolina: similar career earnings at a much lower net price.
The Takeaway
The schools that win this ranking are not the priciest or the most selective. They turn students into earners without burying them in debt, which is exactly what our outcomes-first methodology is built to surface.
What This Means for Students
If you are choosing from this list, start with Trident Technical College and Clemson University. Pull each school's net price for your income band, weigh projected earnings against the debt you would take on, and let payoff rather than prestige drive your shortlist.
Why this ranking matters
These schools are ranked on outcomes that compound: graduate earnings, upward mobility, debt, and value, all drawn from federal tax records and Scorecard data rather than reputation surveys. The list rewards results over prestige, led by institutions whose graduates earn a median of about $41K ten years after enrollment.
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 Trident Technical College #1 overall | $38,253 ▼ -12% vs avg | $1,406 | 29% | 89 |
| 2 Spartanburg Community College #2 overall | $37,097 ▼ -15% vs avg | $2,405 | 29% | 88 |
| 3 Florence-Darlington Technical College #3 overall | $32,748 ▼ -25% vs avg | $2,004 | 27% | 86 |
| $38,701 ▼ -11% vs avg | $4,647 | 17% | 83 | |
| $39,225 ▼ -10% vs avg | $4,807 | 26% | 83 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Most Affordable Colleges in South Carolina
This analysis ranks 49 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $43,668 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 44% and an average net price of $14,365.
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
Our Analysis Found
The most expensive quartile of colleges costs 373% more than the most affordable — but their graduates earn just 34% more.
Affordability & ROI Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about getting a real return on a degree?
$40,867
Median earnings (10yr)
41%
Median graduation rate
$14,670
Median net price
1.2%
Avg. mobility rate
Value rankings exist to show where students get the most for their money. The answer is rarely the cheapest school or the one with the highest earnings. It is the intersection of low cost and strong outcomes, which is what our methodology is built to surface. The schools at the top of this list show that affordability and results can coexist.
Across the 49 schools on this list, graduates earn a median of $40,867 ten years after they first enrolled. The median graduation rate is 41%. Net price, what students pay after grants, runs a median of $14,670 a year, with about $22,750 in median federal debt at graduation. An average of 38% of students receive Pell grants, and the typical school moves low-income students into the top income quintile at a rate of 1.2%.
The schools that win on value are the ones where net price and earnings form the tightest ratio. Median net price runs $14,670 and graduates earn a median of $40,867. That ratio, not prestige or selectivity, is the truest measure of what a degree is worth.
The podium
Build your ranking
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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
Trident Technical College lands at #1 with a 89/100 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, 12% 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 #2
Spartanburg Community College lands at #2 with a 88/100 composite, led by value per dollar (92/100) and pulled down by academic quality (48/100). Graduates earn a median $37,097 a decade after enrolling, 15% below this list's average, and net price runs $2,405 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 #3
Florence-Darlington Technical College lands at #3 with a 86/100 composite, led by value per dollar (89/100) and pulled down by social mobility (38/100). Graduates earn a median $32,748 a decade after enrolling, 25% below this list's average, and net price runs $2,004 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 #4
Midlands Technical College lands at #4 with a 83/100 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, 11% 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 #5
Aiken Technical College lands at #5 with a 83/100 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, 10% 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 #6
Horry-Georgetown Technical College lands at #6 with a 83/100 composite, led by value per dollar (82/100) and pulled down by social mobility (38/100). Graduates earn a median $35,507 a decade after enrolling, 19% below this list's average, and net price runs $4,159 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
Central Carolina Technical College lands at #7 with a 82/100 composite, led by value per dollar (85/100) and pulled down by academic quality (47/100). Graduates earn a median $32,603 a decade after enrolling, 25% below this list's average, and net price runs $5,571 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
York Technical College lands at #8 with a 81/100 composite, led by value per dollar (86/100) and pulled down by academic quality (52/100). Graduates earn a median $37,257 a decade after enrolling, 15% below this list's average, and net price runs $5,931 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 #9
Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College lands at #9 with a 81/100 composite, led by value per dollar (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (52/100). Graduates earn a median $35,761 a decade after enrolling, 18% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,186 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 #10
University of South Carolina-Sumter lands at #10 with a 78/100 composite, led by value per dollar (84/100) and pulled down by social mobility (43/100). Graduates earn a median $42,437 a decade after enrolling, 3% below this list's average, and net price runs $7,712 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 #11
University of South Carolina-Union lands at #11 with a 76/100 composite, led by value per dollar (82/100) and pulled down by social mobility (9/100). Graduates earn a median $33,699 a decade after enrolling, 23% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,065 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
Allendale, SC · 76% accepted · $9,229 net
Why it ranks #12
University of South Carolina-Salkehatchie lands at #12 with a 75/100 composite, led by value per dollar (79/100) and pulled down by social mobility (39/100). Graduates earn a median $31,360 a decade after enrolling, 28% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,229 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 #13
Francis Marion University lands at #13 with a 75/100 composite, led by social mobility (78/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (57/100). Graduates earn a median $43,888 a decade after enrolling, 1% above this list's average, and net price runs $11,386 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.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #14
University of South Carolina Aiken lands at #14 with a 73/100 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% above 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.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #15
Northeastern Technical College lands at #15 with a 72/100 composite, led by social mobility (91/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (22/100). Graduates earn a median $32,141 a decade after enrolling, 26% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,913 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
Lancaster, SC · 83% accepted · $9,801 net
Why it ranks #16
University of South Carolina-Lancaster lands at #16 with a 72/100 composite, led by value per dollar (82/100) and pulled down by social mobility (34/100). Graduates earn a median $39,426 a decade after enrolling, 10% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,801 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
Piedmont Technical College lands at #17 with a 71/100 composite, led by social mobility (74/100) and pulled down by academic quality (49/100). Graduates earn a median $35,768 a decade after enrolling, 18% below this list's average, and net price runs $11,366 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 #18
Coastal Carolina University lands at #18 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (77/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (61/100). Graduates earn a median $47,258 a decade after enrolling, 8% above this list's average, and net price runs $13,966 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Spartanburg, SC · 67% accepted · $13,557 net
Why it ranks #19
University of South Carolina-Upstate lands at #19 with a 69/100 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, 11% above this list's average, and net price runs $13,557 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 #20
Greenville Technical College lands at #20 with a 67/100 composite, led by value per dollar (74/100) and pulled down by academic quality (39/100). Graduates earn a median $39,473 a decade after enrolling, 10% below this list's average, and net price runs $11,713 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 #21
Winthrop University lands at #21 with a 67/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (56/100). Graduates earn a median $47,185 a decade after enrolling, 8% above this list's average, and net price runs $15,343 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #22
Williamsburg Technical College lands at #22 with a 67/100 composite, led by social mobility (85/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (21/100). Graduates earn a median $29,935 a decade after enrolling, 31% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,887 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 #23
Lander University lands at #23 with a 67/100 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, 3% below this list's average, and net price runs $15,363 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 #24
Southern Wesleyan University lands at #24 with a 67/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (51/100). Graduates earn a median $47,756 a decade after enrolling, 9% above this list's average, and net price runs $15,464 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #25
Voorhees University lands at #25 with a 66/100 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, 19% below this list's average, and net price runs $13,335 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 #26
University of South Carolina Beaufort lands at #26 with a 65/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (61/100) and pulled down by academic quality (53/100). Graduates earn a median $48,088 a decade after enrolling, 10% above this list's average, and net price runs $14,656 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 #27
Tri-County Technical College lands at #27 with a 65/100 composite, led by social mobility (76/100) and pulled down by academic quality (47/100). Graduates earn a median $40,101 a decade after enrolling, 8% below this list's average, and net price runs $14,670 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 #28
Erskine College lands at #28 with a 65/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (50/100). Graduates earn a median $53,459 a decade after enrolling, 22% above this list's average, and net price runs $16,525 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.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #29
Spartanburg Methodist College lands at #29 with a 64/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by academic quality (50/100). Graduates earn a median $42,895 a decade after enrolling, 2% below this list's average, and net price runs $14,580 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 #30
South Carolina State University lands at #30 with a 63/100 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, 12% below this list's average, and net price runs $18,097 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
Why it ranks #31
Claflin University lands at #31 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, 8% below this list's average, and net price runs $17,800 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
Why it ranks #32
Bob Jones University lands at #32 with a 60/100 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, 2% above this list's average, and net price runs $16,641 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 #33
College of Charleston lands at #33 with a 60/100 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, 29% 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 carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #34
Wofford College lands at #34 with a 60/100 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, 58% 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 carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #35
Benedict College lands at #35 with a 59/100 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, 27% below this list's average, and net price runs $18,250 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
Why it ranks #36
Columbia College lands at #36 with a 58/100 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, 5% below this list's average, and net price runs $18,408 a year, above 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 #37
Coker University lands at #37 with a 57/100 composite, led by social mobility (79/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (52/100). Graduates earn a median $40,117 a decade after enrolling, 8% below this list's average, and net price runs $20,286 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
Why it ranks #38
Presbyterian College lands at #38 with a 57/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (50/100). Graduates earn a median $60,194 a decade after enrolling, 38% above this list's average, and net price runs $20,528 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.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #39
North Greenville University lands at #39 with a 56/100 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, 1% 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 carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Charleston, SC · 23% accepted · $20,723 net
Why it ranks #40
Citadel Military College of South Carolina lands at #40 with a 55/100 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, 65% 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 #41
Clemson University lands at #41 with a 55/100 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, 64% 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 carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #42
Newberry College lands at #42 with a 55/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (43/100). Graduates earn a median $48,040 a decade after enrolling, 10% above this list's average, and net price runs $21,656 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.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #43
Charleston Southern University lands at #43 with a 55/100 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, 5% above 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 carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #44
Morris College lands at #44 with a 53/100 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, 30% 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
Why it ranks #45
Converse University lands at #45 with a 52/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (49/100). Graduates earn a median $40,867 a decade after enrolling, 6% below this list's average, and net price runs $23,283 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
Why it ranks #46
University of South Carolina-Columbia lands at #46 with a 51/100 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, 42% 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 #47
Anderson University lands at #47 with a 50/100 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, 4% 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 #48
Columbia International University lands at #48 with a 46/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (47/100). Graduates earn a median $38,951 a decade after enrolling, 11% below this list's average, and net price runs $26,036 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
Why it ranks #49
Furman University lands at #49 with a 38/100 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, 57% 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 carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Cut it by what you care about
The same 49 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs are
When it comes to higher education in South Carolina, affordability is a key consideration for many students and families. With net prices varying significantly, finding a college that fits the budget while still offering solid career prospects is essential. In this ranking, we spotlight the most affordable colleges in the state, where the net prices are noticeably lower than the national average.
The schools on this list excel not just in affordability but also in key outcomes like earnings, graduation rates, and debt levels. For instance, while the average earnings for graduates across these colleges sit at $43,668, some schools show marked differences in how quickly students can achieve that financial stability. It's important to examine both the net price and the completion rates to understand what a school truly offers.
Take Trident Technical College and Spartanburg Community College as an example. Trident's graduates earn an average of $38,253, but with a 29% graduation rate and a net price of just $1,406, it stands out as a solid option. In contrast, Spartanburg’s average earnings are slightly higher at $37,097, but with a higher net price of $2,405 and the same graduation rate, students may find Trident to be the more affordable choice in the long run.
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
The backbone of this ranking is social-mobility data from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, which draws on more than 30 million tax records. A school's mobility rate is the share of its students who move from the bottom income quintile to the top. Among the 32 schools on this list with available data, that rate averages 1.2%. Claflin University leads the group at 3.6%, with Spartanburg Methodist College (2.6%) and Charleston Southern University (2.1%) close behind.
Who gets in matters as much as what happens after. Across these schools, an average of 14.2% of students start in the bottom income quintile. Williamsburg Technical College leads at 36.9%, which signals an admissions door that is actually open to low-income students. Schools that pair high access with high mobility are the ones driving generational change.
Once low-income students enroll, their odds of reaching the top income quintile average 12.8% across this list. Presbyterian College posts the highest success rate at 40.9%. Access without completion and career momentum is an incomplete picture, and this is the number that completes it.
Social capital, measured by economic connectedness, captures the degree of cross-class friendship on campus, another dimension Opportunity Insights ties to long-run outcomes. Across these schools it averages 1.13 against a national benchmark of 1.0. Furman University reaches 1.74, the highest on the list.
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 reveals that while Trident Technical College offers a low net price of $1,406 and better earning potential for graduates at $38,253, Spartanburg Community College, despite having a slightly higher average earnings of $37,097, incurs a higher net price of $2,405. This difference might seem minor, but over time, choosing the more affordable school can lead to significant savings and less debt.
As you consider your options, think about what matters most to you. Are you prioritizing a specific program, campus culture, or proximity to home? Compare the net prices and graduation rates alongside what you want in a college experience. This approach will help you find the right fit without sacrificing your financial future.
Ultimately, these decisions impact more than just your college years. Graduates from these affordable colleges can expect to earn a decent living, with average earnings around $43,668. Choosing wisely now can pave the way for a stable life later. One decision can shape your future in a significant way—make sure it aligns with your personal and financial goals.
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
Most Affordable Colleges in South Carolina: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Most Affordable Colleges in South Carolina ranking? +
Trident Technical College in Charleston, SC ranks #1 in our 2026 Most Affordable Colleges in South Carolina ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $38,253 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 29% 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 $43,668 average across the 49 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 44% 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 $14,365 a year across the 49 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 Most Affordable 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 49 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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