This page compares the best colleges in South Carolina with tuition, admission, and more academic facts (Ranking data from College Evaluator). For the academic year 2021-2022, Clemson University rank first in the best South Carolina college ranking and University of South Carolina-Columbia is placed in second.
Admission Comparison Between Best Colleges in South Carolina
4 public and 6 private schools rank in the best South Carolina colleges. The schools' average acceptance rate is 65.90% where Columbia International University has the tightest (lowest) acceptance rate of 51% and Converse College has the highest rate of 82%. Total 89,934 students are attending one of the best South Carolina schools where University of South Carolina-Columbia has the largest population with 35,470 students and Converse College has the smallest number of students (1,377 students). The average graduation rate is 68.90% and the average students to faculty ratio is 13.70:1 at those colleges.
| Rank | Name | Acceptance Rate | SAT Score | Graduation Rate | Population | Student-Faculty Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Clemson University Clemson, SC | 62% | 1,300 | 85% | 26,406 | 16:1 (6.25 %) |
| 2 | University of South Carolina-Columbia Columbia, SC | 68% | 1,240 | 78% | 35,470 | 17:1 (5.88 %) |
| 3 | Furman University Greenville, SC | 65% | 1,315 | 81% | 2,567 | 10:1 (10.00 %) |
| 4 | Wofford College Spartanburg, SC | 53% | 1,270 | 80% | 1,764 | 11:1 (9.09 %) |
| 5 | Columbia International University Columbia, SC | 51% | 1,045 | 68% | 2,098 | 15:1 (6.67 %) |
| 6 | North Greenville University Tigerville, SC | 65% | 1,080 | 51% | 2,280 | 14:1 (7.14 %) |
| 7 | Citadel Military College of South Carolina Charleston, SC | 80% | 1,120 | 71% | 3,740 | 12:1 (8.33 %) |
| 8 | Anderson University Anderson, SC | 59% | 1,035 | 57% | 3,848 | 15:1 (6.67 %) |
| 9 | College of Charleston Charleston, SC | 74% | 1,155 | 66% | 10,384 | 15:1 (6.67 %) |
| 10 | Converse College Spartanburg, SC | 82% | 1,100 | 52% | 1,377 | 12:1 (8.33 %) |
| Average | 65.90% | 1,166 | 68.90% | 89,934 (Total) | 13.70:1 (7.30 %) |
Best South Carolina Colleges 2022 Tuition Comparison and 2023 Estimated Costs
The following table lists 2021-2022 tuition & fees and compares them between the best South Carolina colleges. The 2021-2022 costs are officially published by IPEDS, U.S. Department of Education. The estimated costs for the academic year 2022-2023 are calculated and estimated based on each school's rate of tuition change from 2021 to 2022.
For the undergraduate programs, the average tuition & fees of the best South Carolina colleges is $34,429 where Furman University has the most expensive costs at $53,372 and Converse College has the lowest amount of tuition at $19,850. The average graduate tuition & fees of the best South Carolina colleges is $17,852 where College of Charleston has the highest tuition with $37,836 and Furman University has the lowest amount of graduate school tuition with $7,513.
| Rank | School Name | 2022 Tuition & Fees | 2023 Estimated Tuition & Fees | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| In-State | Out-of-State | In-State | Out-of-State | ||
| 1 | Clemson University | $15,558 | $38,550 | $15,558 | $38,550 |
| 2 | University of South Carolina-Columbia | $12,688 | $33,928 | $12,688 | $33,928 |
| 3 | Furman University | $53,372 | $54,683 | ||
| 4 | Wofford College | $49,550 | $51,526 | ||
| 5 | Columbia International University | $25,590 | $26,566 | ||
| 6 | North Greenville University | $22,470 | $22,898 | ||
| 7 | Citadel Military College of South Carolina | $12,570 | $35,826 | $12,520 | $35,776 |
| 8 | Anderson University | $30,720 | $31,478 | ||
| 9 | College of Charleston | $12,978 | $34,438 | $12,978 | $35,606 |
| 10 | Converse College | $19,850 | $19,221 | ||
| Average | $13,449 | $34,429 | $13,436 | $35,023 | |
| Rank | School Name | 2022 Tuition & Fees | 2023 Estimated Tuition & Fees | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| In-State | Out-of-State | In-State | Out-of-State | ||
| 1 | Clemson University | $11,796 | $23,246 | $11,796 | $11,796 |
| 2 | University of South Carolina-Columbia | $14,134 | $30,160 | $14,134 | $14,131 |
| 3 | Furman University | $7,513 | $7,513 | ||
| 4 | Wofford College | - | - | ||
| 5 | Columbia International University | $11,810 | $13,109 | ||
| 6 | North Greenville University | $12,220 | $12,918 | ||
| 7 | Citadel Military College of South Carolina | $10,890 | $18,540 | $10,890 | $10,890 |
| 8 | Anderson University | $11,643 | $12,127 | ||
| 9 | College of Charleston | $14,230 | $37,836 | $14,230 | $14,230 |
| 10 | Converse College | $7,698 | $6,569 | ||
| Average | $12,763 | $17,852 | $12,762 | $18,145 | |