Colleges and Universities in South Carolina: A Comprehensive Overview

South Carolina's higher education landscape is as diverse and vibrant as the state itself, offering a wide variety of four-year colleges and universities for every type of student. From the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains to the historic Atlantic coast, students have the opportunity to pursue their degrees in a rich array of settings. South Carolina boasts a humid subtropical climate and 187 miles of coastline. Summers are warm and winters are largely mild in the Palmetto State, especially close to the Atlantic ocean, which is also where most of the state’s population lives-in Charleston. South Carolina has 61 colleges, including 8 historically black colleges and universities. The largest institution in the state is the University of South Carolina, which resides in the state capital, Columbia. Automotive manufacturing, aerospace, biotechnology, energy, and logistics are the top industries in the South Carolina. The most prominent attractions in the state include Myrtle Beach, the Charleston Historic District, Hilton Head Island, and Fort Sumter.

Public Universities in South Carolina

The state is home to a robust public university system. Top colleges and universities are located throughout South Carolina and in cities such as Charleston, Greenville and Columbia, the state capital.

Clemson University

Clemson University, a top-ranked public school, is a powerhouse in engineering and research and known for its passionate student body and beautiful campus. In 2023, Clemson University completed 5,391 bachelor's degrees, 1,833 master's degrees, and 285 doctoral degrees. Since the 1890s, Clemson University and the University of South Carolina - the two largest universities in South Carolina by undergraduate enrollment - have shared a ferocious rivalry. Fans pack the stands on game day at these schools and other colleges and universities in South Carolina with lively sports teams.

University of South Carolina

The University of South Carolina, the state's flagship institution in Columbia, is a major research university with a wide range of top-ranked programs, particularly in business and law. In 2023, the University of South Carolina-Columbia completed 7,275 bachelor's degrees, 1,831 master's degrees, and 920 doctoral degrees. The Arsenal, Columbia, sister school of The Citadel. The only surviving building is now the South Carolina Governor's Mansion.

College of Charleston

Students can also find excellent public options at the College of Charleston, recognized for its strong liberal arts and sciences programs in a historic city. In 2023, the College of Charleston completed 2,128 bachelor's degrees, and 239 master's degrees.

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Coastal Carolina University

Coastal Carolina University offers a unique learning environment near the beach. In 2023, Coastal Carolina University completed 1,884 bachelor's degrees, 258 master's degrees, and 23 doctoral degrees.

Francis Marion University

In 2023, Francis Marion University completed 522 bachelor's degrees, 140 master's degrees, and 6 doctoral degrees.

Lander University

In 2023, Lander University completed 679 bachelor's degrees, and 143 master's degrees.

University of South Carolina Aiken

In 2023, the University of South Carolina Aiken completed 571 bachelor's degrees, and 244 master's degrees.

University of South Carolina Beaufort

In 2023, the University of South Carolina Beaufort completed 376 bachelor's degrees, 2 associate degrees, and 11 master's degrees.

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University of South Carolina Upstate

In 2023, the University of South Carolina-Upstate completed 1,064 bachelor's degrees, and 109 master's degrees.

Winthrop University

In 2023, Winthrop University completed 821 bachelor's degrees, and 421 master's degrees.

Private Colleges and Universities in South Carolina

South Carolina also has a wealth of private institutions that provide an intimate and focused academic experience.

Furman University

Furman University is a highly-regarded liberal arts school that offers challenging academics and close-knit communities. In 2023, Furman University completed 649 bachelor's degrees, and 60 master's degrees.

Wofford College

Wofford College is a highly-regarded liberal arts school that offers challenging academics and close-knit communities. In 2023, Wofford College completed 506 bachelor's degrees.

The Citadel

For those seeking a unique experience, The Citadel, a public military college, offers a structured and disciplined environment. In 2023, the Citadel Military College of South Carolina completed 722 bachelor's degrees, and 355 master's degrees.

Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)

The state also has a strong network of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), such as Claflin University and South Carolina State University, which have played a crucial role in the state's educational heritage.

Claflin University

In 2023, Claflin University completed 343 bachelor's degrees, and 30 master's degrees.

South Carolina State University

In 2023, South Carolina State University completed 232 bachelor's degrees, 52 master's degrees, and 25 doctoral degrees.

Allen University

In 2023, Allen University completed 83 bachelor's degrees, and 15 master's degrees.

Benedict College

In 2023, Benedict College completed 331 bachelor's degrees, and 23 master's degrees.

Morris College

In 2023, Morris College completed 76 bachelor's degrees.

Voorhees University

In 2023, Voorhees University completed 70 bachelor's degrees, and 8 master's degrees.

Other Private Institutions

Anderson University

In 2023, Anderson University completed 666 bachelor's degrees, 281 master's degrees, and 41 doctoral degrees.

American College of the Building Arts

In 2023, American College of the Building Arts completed 20 bachelor's degrees, and 5 associate degrees.

Bob Jones University

In 2023, Bob Jones University completed 559 bachelor's degrees, 45 associate degrees, 94 master's degrees, and 3 doctoral degrees.

Charleston Southern University

In 2023, Charleston Southern University completed 495 bachelor's degrees, 187 master's degrees, and 41 doctoral degrees.

Charleston School of Law

In 2023, Charleston School of Law completed 167 doctoral degrees.

Coker University

In 2023, Coker University completed 197 bachelor's degrees, and 47 master's degrees.

Columbia College

In 2023, Columbia College completed 231 bachelor's degrees, and 234 master's degrees.

Columbia International University

In 2023, Columbia International University completed 200 bachelor's degrees, 336 master's degrees, and 68 doctoral degrees.

Converse University

In 2023, Converse University completed 139 bachelor's degrees, 87 master's degrees, and 16 doctoral degrees.

Erskine College

In 2023, Erskine College completed 143 bachelor's degrees, 21 master's degrees, and 12 doctoral degrees.

Limestone University

In 2023, Limestone University completed 395 bachelor's degrees, 29 associate degrees, and 97 master's degrees.

Medical University of South Carolina

In 2023, the Medical University of South Carolina completed 203 bachelor's degrees, 333 master's degrees, and 573 doctoral degrees.

Newberry College

In 2023, Newberry College completed 218 bachelor's degrees, and 7 master's degrees.

North Greenville University

In 2023, North Greenville University completed 331 bachelor's degrees, 101 master's degrees, and 12 doctoral degrees.

Presbyterian College

In 2023, Presbyterian College completed 238 bachelor's degrees, 33 master's degrees, and 41 doctoral degrees.

Sherman College of Chiropractic

In 2023, Sherman College of Chiropractic completed 97 doctoral degrees.

South University-Columbia

In 2023, South University-Columbia completed 67 bachelor's degrees, 21 associate degrees, and 54 master's degrees.

Southern Wesleyan University

In 2023, Southern Wesleyan University completed 218 bachelor's degrees, 12 associate degrees, 54 master's degrees, and 21 doctoral degrees.

Strayer University-South Carolina

In 2023, Strayer University-South Carolina completed 200 bachelor's degrees, 114 associate degrees, and 78 master's degrees.

W L Bonner College

In 2023, W L Bonner College completed 3 associate degrees.

Technical Colleges in South Carolina

South Carolina also offers a network of technical colleges that provide specialized training and education for various industries. These colleges offer associate degrees and certificate programs.

Aiken Technical College
Central Carolina Technical College
Denmark Technical College
Florence-Darlington Technical College
Greenville Technical College
Horry-Georgetown Technical College
Midlands Technical College
Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College
Piedmont Technical College
Spartanburg Community College
Technical College of the Low Country
Tri-County Technical College
Trident Technical College
University of South Carolina Lancaster
University of South Carolina Salkehatchie
University of South Carolina Sumter
Williamsburg Technical College
York Technical College

Economic Impact and Job Market

Associate, bachelor's, masters, and doctoral degree completions at institutions in South Carolina have been growing over the past 5 years. In 2023, 48,416 degrees were completed that were offered by South Carolina's colleges and universities. The average tuition at nonprofit schools is $27,134, indicating that education is of high quality. In 2024, there were about 3,247,165 jobs in South Carolina. From 2023-2024, job growth in South Carolina was above the national average, at 1.8%. There were 437,236 job openings in the state. Automotive manufacturing, aerospace, biotechnology, energy, and logistics are the top industries in South Carolina, reflecting the state's commitment to innovation and economic growth.

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