Colleges Near Myrtle Beach, South Carolina: A Comprehensive Guide
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and its surrounding areas offer a diverse range of higher education opportunities. From technical colleges focused on career readiness to universities offering advanced degrees, prospective students have a variety of options to choose from. This article provides a detailed overview of colleges near Myrtle Beach, including information on academics, accreditation, student life, and more.
Universities and Colleges
Coastal Carolina University (CCU)
Located approximately nine miles from Myrtle Beach, Coastal Carolina University is a public institution offering baccalaureate, master's, specialist, and doctoral degrees. CCU is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). The E. Craig Wall Sr. College of Business Administration holds accreditation from AACSB International - The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. The Spadoni College of Education is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) and approved by the South Carolina Department of Education. Additionally, CCU holds accreditations from the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) for its Department of Visual Arts, the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM) for its Department of Music, and the National Association of Schools of Theatre (NAST) for its Department of Theatre.
CCU offers a wide array of academic programs through its five academic colleges. The largest major in terms of headcount is marine science. Other popular programs include business management, exercise and sport science, communication, marketing, biology, and psychology. In 2023, CCU awarded 1,884 bachelor's degrees, 258 master's degrees, and 23 doctoral degrees. The average freshman class size is 25 students, ensuring a personalized learning environment. All courses are taught by faculty.
Coastal Carolina University competes in the NCAA Division I and is a member of the Sun Belt Conference. Approximately half of the students are from South Carolina, with out-of-state students coming from 48 other states, primarily from New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.
CCU provides numerous resources to support student success. The Learning Assistance Center offers assistance in achieving learning objectives, improving academic skills, and addressing academic deficiencies at no additional cost.
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Student life at CCU is vibrant, with a dynamic campus community filled with opportunities for personal growth and community engagement. Traditions include having a photo taken with the bronze Chauncey statue and participation in Spring Fling, CCU's largest, carnival-like event. CHANT411 serves as a central point of contact for students, families, faculty, staff, and visitors seeking information or guidance.
Francis Marion University
Francis Marion University is another four-year public college located near Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. In 2023, the university awarded 522 bachelor's degrees, 140 master's degrees, and 6 doctoral degrees.
Clemson University
While not directly in Myrtle Beach, Clemson University has a presence in the region through various programs and initiatives. Clemson is a Carnegie R1 public research institution. Across more than 80 undergraduate majors and 130 graduate degree programs, artists, scientists, authors and engineers begin the work that will define their careers and our culture.
Galen College of Nursing
Galen College of Nursing (Galen) is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate, baccalaureate, master’s, and doctorate degrees. Galen also may offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels. Galen consists of a Main Campus located in Kentucky and off-campus instructional sites in Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, and Virginia. Galen has achieved a level of excellence in a specific area.
Technical Colleges
Central Carolina Technical College (CCTC)
Central Carolina Technical College is a public, two-year South Carolina institution dedicated to fostering a positive teaching and learning environment for students in Clarendon, Kershaw, Lee, and Sumter counties. CCTC offers associate degrees, diplomas, and certificates, utilizing both traditional and online courses. The college has cooperative agreements with other four-year colleges and universities for a smooth transfer if that’s the student’s goal.
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CCTC offers more than 50 programs of study. The college also provides clinical experience right on campus.
Horry-Georgetown Technical College (HGTC)
Horry-Georgetown Technical College is transforming what it means to be a 21st-century technical college. HGTC is dedicated to supporting local businesses, farmers, and ranchers.
Other Educational Institutions
Myrtle Beach College
Myrtle Beach College's primary mission is to provide tuition-free, high-quality post-secondary education from a Christian perspective to men and women incarcerated in federal and state prisons and county jails throughout the United States. Selected courses will become available to non-incarcerated persons who live in the coastal South Carolina area and to others through distance education and partnering churches program in 2026. The college will offer several degrees beginning in September 2025 when the college officially opens. Myrtle Beach College will offer an Associate in Christian Studies; a Bachelor of Christian Leadership with majors in Accounting, Business, Criminal Justice, Legal Studies, Psychology, and Social Work; and a Bachelor of Christian Education. Additionally, an Associate in Ministry, a Bachelor of Christian Ministry, and a Bachelor of Divinity degree will be offered through our School of Theology. Myrtle Beach College is an incorporated South Carolina non-profit religious institution whose primary purpose is preparing Christian leaders to serve the church and the world. As an institution that offers only religious and theological degrees, the college is exempt from oversight by the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education. The work of the college is overseen by a Board of Governors which is responsible for the institution's educational, operational, and fiscal integrity. Myrtle Beach College admits students of any race, color, national origin, and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to the students at the school.
Franklin University
Franklin University is a top choice for transfer students, online learners, and adults who need to balance school with busy lives. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at Franklin University. In 2023, 1,429 bachelor's degrees were completed. 88 associate degrees, 616 master's degrees, and 38 doctoral degrees were earned.
Additional Information
Accreditation
Accreditation is a critical factor to consider when choosing a college or university. It ensures that the institution meets certain standards of quality and that its programs are recognized by other institutions and employers.
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Cost of Education
The average cost of tuition at nonprofit schools near Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, is $9,577.
Job Market Outlook
In 2024, there were approximately 591,196 jobs in the Myrtle Beach, South Carolina area. From 2023-2024, job growth in Myrtle Beach was above the national average, at 1.8%. There were 82,349 job openings in the area.
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